The summer of 2018 could be a record breaker

East Anglian Daily Times: July 1976 these children were keeping cool in the sea at Minsmere during one of the hottest and driest summers on record. Picture: GRANTJuly 1976 these children were keeping cool in the sea at Minsmere during one of the hottest and driest summers on record. Picture: GRANT (Image: Archant)

The summer of 2018 could be a record breaker - it has already been the driest start to a summer since modern records began in 1961.

So far this summer has been drier even than the hottest summer on record - the famous long, hot summer of 1976.

East Anglian Daily Times: Hot weather in Felixstowe bring out thousands of beach goers. Picture: GREGG BROWNHot weather in Felixstowe bring out thousands of beach goers. Picture: GREGG BROWN

Tomorrow East Anglia could see its first rain for 32 days breaking the prolonged dry spell but it is unlikely to bring a drop in temperature.

Adam Dury, weather forecaster for Weatherquest, said: “Friday morning will be dry but in the afternoon there will be thick cloud from the south causing isolated heavy showers in the west of Suffolk with the rest of the region at risk.”

East Anglian Daily Times: Miss Ipswich contestants at Broomhill baths, Ipswich, in June 1976Miss Ipswich contestants at Broomhill baths, Ipswich, in June 1976

Once the rain has cleared, temperatures are set to rise again, We are being warned to expect temperatures in the high 20s across the county next week.

Mr Dury added: “Monday and Tuesday are expected to see temperatures of 29C to 30C, Wednesday will be slightly cooler at 27C to 28C, Thursday 28C to 29C and Friday at 25C to 26C.”

East Anglian Daily Times: Pipers Vale swimming pool childrens games, August 1976Pipers Vale swimming pool childrens games, August 1976

Thunderstorms have been predicted for the UK but according to Mr Dury Suffolk should miss out on those.

Mr Dury, explained: “The rain could turn thundery but there is a low risk of this happening, it should just be some showers.”

East Anglian Daily Times: From The Archives Essex Children watching at Nayland Primary School Sports Day July 1976From The Archives Essex Children watching at Nayland Primary School Sports Day July 1976

According to the Met Office so far this summer the UK has had just 47mm of rain, making it the driest start to summer in modern records.

Back in 2013 we saw just 59mm of rain during the same period but after the dry start in 2013 there was an outbreak of thunderstorms and wet days, something we have yet to see this year.

East Anglian Daily Times: From The Archives Deben Week July 1976 Neg 51379 EADT 1.7.11 EADT 18.7.11From The Archives Deben Week July 1976 Neg 51379 EADT 1.7.11 EADT 18.7.11

The Met Office said: “If the rest of the summer is average, 2018 will rank in the top ten warmest summers on record and if we continue to see above average temperatures, it could be record breaking.”

East Anglian Daily Times: Summer has finally arrived in Suffolk. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNSummer has finally arrived in Suffolk. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Summer records

• Rainfall in June was below average across England with only 15mm of precipitation, just a quarter of the average rainfall for the month. This meant we had the third driest June on record since 1910 and the driest June since 1925

East Anglian Daily Times: Despite the risk of showers, forecasters say it is likely to remain hot and dry Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNDespite the risk of showers, forecasters say it is likely to remain hot and dry Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

• Overall, the driest summer was 1995 where rainfall for the full three summer months was only 103mm

• If rainfall is average for the next six weeks, by the end of August we will have had 174mm of rainfall putting 2018 in the top 10 driest summers of all time

East Anglian Daily Times: Despite the risk of showers, forecasters say it is likely to remain hot and dry Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNDespite the risk of showers, forecasters say it is likely to remain hot and dry Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

• The current average daily maximum temperature across the country for summer of 2018 is 20.9C. The average daily temperature for the summer of 1976 was 21C

• 1976 was the sunniest summer on record with 669 hours. So far the UK has had 385 hours of sunshine this summer.

East Anglian Daily Times: Julie,Summer and Nick Westlake enjoy the sunshine in Felixstowe. Picture:SARAH LUCY BROWNJulie,Summer and Nick Westlake enjoy the sunshine in Felixstowe. Picture:SARAH LUCY BROWN

• In 1976 there were 15 consecutive days when temperatures reached 32C or higher in the UK. The hottest temperature we have reached in Suffolk so far this year is 30.8C