August 2003 - Hot spell

The UK record of 37.1 °C at Cheltenham on 3 August 1990, was beaten by a number of stations on 10 August 2003, with Brogdale near Faversham (Kent) reporting the highest at 38.5 °C.

Table of highest maximum temperatures - 5 August 2003

The following table shows the data which were available from our network on 1 October 2003.

Guernsey Airport had a night-time minimum temperate of 23.7 °C on 4/5 August 2003, its highest on record. Previous highest night-time (12 hour) minimum was 22.9 °C on 2/3 August 1990 (using digital data records back to 1960).

St. Mawgan (Cornwall), had a night-time minimum temperature of 23.1 °C on 4/5 August 2003, its highest on record. Previous highest night-time (12 hour) minimum was 20.4 °C on 28/29 July 1976 (using digital data records back to 1957).

Map of highest maximum temperatures - 6 August 2003

This map shows the data which were available from our network on 1 October 2003.

Table of highest maximum temperatures - 6 August 2003

The following table shows the data which were available from our network on 1 October 2003.

Map of highest maximum temperatures - 9 August 2003

This map shows the data which were available from our network on 1 October 2003.

Table of highest maximum temperatures - 9 August 2003

The following table shows the data which were available from our network on 1 October 2003.

Greycrook (Scottish Borders) reported a maximum temperature of 32.9 °C on 9 August 2003, beating the previous Scottish record of 32.8 °C at Dumfries (Dumfries and Galloway) on 2 July 1908 and on several occasions at other places in the 19th century.

Map of highest maximum temperatures - 10 August 2003

This map shows the data which were available from our network on 1 October 2003.

Table of highest maximum temperatures - 10 August 2003

The following table shows the data which were available from our network on 1 October 2003.

Met Office London had a night-time minimum temperate of 23.7 °C on 9/10 August 2003, its highest nighttime (12 hour) minimum was 24.0 °C on 3/4 August 1990 (using digital data records back to 1974).

Highest temperatures so far during 2003

Highest extremes so far this year using data available on 1 October.

Brogdale near Faversham (Kent) has recorded England's highest temperature so far this year, with 38.5 °C on 10 August 2003 (beats the previous highest value anywhere in UK).

Valley has recorded the Welsh highest temperature so far this year, with 33.0 °C on 5 August 2003, which beat its previous highest of 32.8 °C on 29 July 1948 (data records back to 1931).

Greycrook (Scottish borders) has recorded Scotland's highest temperature so far this year, with 32.9 °C on 9 August 2003 (beats the old Scottish record below).

Castlederg has recorded Northern Ireland's highest temperature so far this year, with 29.3 °C on 8 August 2003.

Maximum temperature extremes

Previous highest England recorded temperature, 37.1 °C at Cheltenham (Gloucestershire) on 3 August 1990. (The highest official temperature recorded anywhere in the UK.)

Highest Wales recorded temperature, 35.2 °C at Hawarden Bridge (Clwyd) on 2 August 1990.

Previous highest Scotland recorded temperature, 32.8 °C at Dumfries (Dumfries and Galloway) on 2 July 1908 and on several occasions at other places in the 19th century.

Highest Northern Ireland recorded temperature, 30.8 °C at Knockarevan (near Belleek, Co. Fermanagh) on 30 June 1976, and at Shaw's Bridge, Belfast (Co. Antrim) on 12 July 1983.

Hot spells, with consecutive maximum temperatures over 30 °C

During the long hot summer of 1976, temperatures exceeded 32 °C (90 °F), somewhere in the UK, on 15 consecutive days starting on 23 June. This year, 32 °C was exceeded on three consecutive days between 4 and 6 August and then on five consecutive days between 8 and 12 August, somewhere in the UK (temperatures failed to reach 32 °C at any of the real-time stations on 7 August).

During the summer of 1976, Heathrow had 16 consecutive days over 30 °C from 23 June to 8 July (their highest number of of consecutive days above 30 °C). This year, Heathrow managed three consecutive days above 30 °C between 4 and 6 August 2003, and five consecutive days between 8 and 12 August 2003.

During the summer of 1976, Enfield had six consecutive days over 30 °C from 23 June to 28 June, and sevon consecutive days between 2 July and 8 July. This year, Enfield has had ten consecutive maximum temperatures over 30 °C from 3 to 12 August 2003 (their highest number of of consecutive days above 30 °C, using patchy digital records back to 1960's).

During the summer of 1976, Wisley had six consecutive days over 30 °C from 23 June to 28 June, and eight consecutive days between 1 July and 8 July. This year, Wisley has had ten consecutive maximum temperatures over 30 °C from 3 to 12 August 2003 (their highest number of of consecutive days above 30 °C, using digital records back to 1959).

During the summer of 1976, St. James Park had six consecutive days over 30 °C from 23 June to 28 June, and seven consecutive days between 2 July and 8 July. This year, St. James Park has had nine consecutive maximum temperatures over 30 °C from 4 to 12 August 2003 (their highest number of consecutive days above 30 °C, using digital records back to 1959).

During the summer of 1976, East Malling had six consecutive days over 30 °C from 23 June to 28 June.
This year, East Malling has had nine consecutive maximum temperatures over 30 °C from 4 to 12 August 2003 (their highest number of consecutive days above 30 °C, using digital records back to 1959).