UK Summer 1959

Never ending sunshine
by Philip Eden

Before 1976 came along with its exceptional heatwaves and unprecedented drought, the benchmark summer against which subsequent seasons were compared was that of 1959. With nothing remotely approaching a good summer during the 1960s and early-1970s, those of us growing up at the time wondered whether we would ever see another fine summer again.

Although half a century has passed, with summers becoming progressively warmer at least during the last two decades or so, 1959 still holds one or two records.

It was a summer noted for its longevity rather than its intensity. True, there was one short spell, July 4-8, when the temperature climbed above 30°C over a wide area, and readings of 33.3°C were logged on July 5 in London and Norfolk. But for much of the time the heat was not extreme and humidity levels were comfortable. There were some early hints of what was to come, with a spell of exceptional warmth and sunshine in late-February – as high as 19°C in London – and again in mid-April, and the weather became predominately warm and sunny from the second week of May right through until the third week of October. This was in marked contrast to most hot summers since, including 1975, 1976, 1983, 1989 and 1995, all of which gave way to wind and rain in early September. In 1959 the weather seemed to get even better during September and early-October, and we all wondered whether it would ever end.

The temperature reached or exceeded 21°C on 136 days in Southampton, 121 days in Cambridge, 109 in London, 82 in Birmingham and 50 even in Glasgow. Most of these figures have not been beaten since. The 25°C threshold was breached on 37 days in Cambridge, 33 in Southampton, 29 in London, 15 in Birmingham and five in Glasgow.

The downside of this spectacular summer was the drought and the threat of water shortages. Averaged nationally, the five months May to September remains the driest such period in 312 years of records with only 52 per cent of the normal amount of rain. But 1958 had been a wet year, and the rains returned with a vengeance in late-October, so serious shortages were averted.

1959 Dry, Sunny and Warm. A Prolonged Good Summer
In the year that the revolutionary leader Fidel Castro became President of Cuba, the Dalai Lama fled into exile from Tibet, Archbishop Makarios became President of a newly independent Cyprus, and the first stretch of the M1 motorway was opened in England. In the music world, an air crash claimed the life of Buddy Holly and the UK charts were dominated by Cliff Richard who spent a total of 11 weeks at Number One with 2 hits; ‘Living Doll’ and ‘Travellin’ Light’.

1959 Dry, Sunny and Warm. A Prolonged Good Summer

In the year that the revolutionary leader Fidel Castro became President of Cuba, the Dalai Lama fled into exile from Tibet, Archbishop Makarios became President of a newly independent Cyprus, and the first stretch of the M1 motorway was opened in England. In the music world, an air crash claimed the life of Buddy Holly and the UK charts were dominated by Cliff Richard who spent a total of 11 weeks at Number One with 2 hits; ‘Living Doll’ and ‘Travellin’ Light’.
Weather Notes:-
28th February – Maximum temperatures between 18 and 19°C were recorded in several parts of London, including Kensington and Greenwich.
11th July – Hindolveston (Norfolk) had a 20 minute rainfall total of over 63mm.
10th October – First measurable rain for between 57 and 59 days over parts of Eastern England, including Finningley (near Doncaster, South Yorkshire) and Lowestoft (Suffolk).
 

In London…

 Temperature 11.5°C   Rainfall 433.3 mm   Warmest  32.9°C
 Sunshine 1852 hrs      Coldest  -4.7°C

January –  Very sunny and rather cold with near average rainfall.

 Mean Temperature   2.9°C    
 Monthly Highest  10.8°C   Total Rain  54 mm
 Monthly Lowest  -4.7°C  Total Sun  80 hrs

The first 3 weeks of January were unsettled but between rain bands it was often sunny. However, there were some showers, these occasionally wintry with thunder. Temperatures were mostly below normal with many frosty nights. On the 14th, the maximum failed to rise above 0.6°C. Towards the end of the third week it became milder for a while, and on the 20th nearly 10mm of rain fell. The last week of the month was colder again, and after the 23rd, it was dry.

February Very dry with below average sunshine and slightly above normal temperatures.

 Mean Temperature   4.5°C    
 Monthly Highest  16.2°C   Total Rain   2 mm
 Monthly Lowest  -1.4°C  Total Sun  59 hrs

The beginning of February was rather cloudy and cold, but no measurable rain fell during the first 11 days. On the 8th, the highest temperature was only 3.0°C. Temperatures rose during the second week, and after mid month it was mostly mild, although a frost occurred early on the 19th. On the 21st, over 1.5mm of rain fell, 1 of only 3 occasions when measurable rain fell. The end of February was very mild and sunny, with an afternoon high above 16°C. on the 28th.

MarchMild with above average rainfall and below normal sunshine.

 Mean Temperature   8.2°C    
 Monthly Highest  16.0°C   Total Rain   40 mm
 Monthly Lowest   2.1°C  Total Sun  109 hrs

There was some dry, sunny and very mild weather early in the month, and the temperature on the 2nd reached 16°C. It became cooler on the following day and nearly 11mm of rain was recorded. Around mid month, it became cold for a while with wintry showers. On the 18th, the afternoon temperature failed to rise above 4.4°C. During the fourth week, temperatures rose, and although the weather was unsetlled, plenty of dry days occurred with spells of sunshine.

April Rather dull and mild with above average rainfall.

 Mean Temperature  10.4°C    
 Monthly Highest  19.4°C   Total Rain   52 mm
 Monthly Lowest   3.2°C  Total Sun  139 hrs

The weather was rather cloudy and changeable during April, but with winds predominantly from between south and west, temperatures were mostly well above normal. On the 13th, the temperature exceeded 19°C., but after mid month it became cooler. The highest temperature on the 19th was only 9.5°C. It stayed generally unsettled, but most of the rainfall was light. However, on the 25th, around 8mm of rain fell.  During the last few days, there was plenty of sunshine.

MayVery dry, rather warm and sunny.

 Mean Temperature  13.4°C    
 Monthly Highest  26.1°C   Total Rain   13 mm
 Monthly Lowest   3.1°C  Total Sun  230 hrs

The beginning of May was cool and unsettled. On the 3rd, the maximum temperature was only 12.3°C. and nearly 4mm of rain was measured.  The following day was dry and no further rain fell until the 20th. There were sunny periods and it became increasingly warm. Temperatures on both the 11th and 12th exceeded 26°C. Brisk northeast winds brought some cooler days, but after a brief breakdown, there were further spells of warm sunshine during the last week.

JuneVery dry, rather warm and sunny

 Mean Temperature  16.5°C    
 Monthly Highest  26.3°C   Total Rain   15 mm
 Monthly Lowest   6.4°C  Total Sun  240 hrs

The early part of June was rather cool and changeable. The temperature on the 1st only reached 16.7°C., and on the 4th, over 3mm of rain fell. There was further unsettled weather during the remainder of the month, but frontal systems were weak, and it was generally dry with sunny periods. There were some chilly nights around mid month, but days were mostly rather warm. On the 24th, it was sunny from dawn to dusk and the afternoon temperature exceeded 26°C.

JulyVery sunny, warm and rather dry.

 Mean Temperature  18.9°C    
 Monthly Highest  32.9°C   Total Rain   40 mm
 Monthly Lowest   9.4°C  Total Sun  290 hrs

The first week of July was mostly dry, sunny and very warm or  hot. The afternoon temperature on the 5th almost reached 33°C. During the second week it became less warm and unsettled for a while with thundery rain. Around mid month, the sunshine returned and it became very warm. During the last week of July it became rather cool and changeable for a while. On the 28th, nearly 11mm of rain fell, and the maximum temperature on the 29th was only 17.7°C.

August Dry, sunny and warm.

 Mean Temperature  18.9°C    
 Monthly Highest  29.6°C   Total Rain   29 mm
 Monthly Lowest   9.7°C  Total Sun  240 hrs

The maximum temperature on the 1st day of the month was only 18.2°C., but towards the end of the first week it became very warm and sunny. The second week became less warm and rather unsettled, and on the 13th thunderstorms contributed to a total rainfall of nearly 12mm. After the 14th, the month was dry, and there was another spell of very warm and mostly sunny weather. The temperature on the 20th almost reached 30°C., but the end of August was cooler.

September Very dry, sunny and warm.

 Mean Temperature  16.5°C    
 Monthly Highest  27.2°C   Total Rain    3 mm
 Monthly Lowest   5.4°C  Total Sun  212 hrs

There was no measurable rain on the first 20 days of September,  and the weather was mostly sunny and warm or very warm. The afternoon temperature on the 12th exceeded 27°C. On the 21st, nearly 2mm of rain fell, and on the following day the remainder of the September rainfall was recorded. There were several chilly nights after mid month, and during the last week the days were less warm. The maximum temperature on the 27th was only 18.2°C.

October Very sunny, mild and rather dry.

 Mean Temperature  13.3°C    
 Monthly Highest  25.7°C   Total Rain   47 mm
 Monthly Lowest   3.0°C  Total Sun  160 hrs

The first week of October was mostly dry, sunny and fairly warm. The temperature on the 3rd almost reached 26°C. It stayed reasonably warm until the middle of the third week, but the first rain of the month fell on the 10th, and then the rest of October was rather changeable, but with sunshine between rain bands. During the last week it became wet and cold. Over 18mm of rain fell on the 27th, and the maximum temperature on the 29th was only 9.6°C.

November – Rather sunny. Slightly below average rainfall and slightly above normal temperatures.

 Mean Temperature   7.4°C    
 Monthly Highest  15.1°C   Total Rain  60 mm
 Monthly Lowest  -2.0°C  Total Sun  58 hrs

There were some mild and bright days during the first week and the temperature on the 2nd exceeded 15°C. The first frost of the autumn occurred early on the 7th, but there was plenty of sunshine by day. On the night of the 11th/12th freezing fog formed, and the fog was slow to clear during the day. The maximum temperature on the 12th was only 2.7°C. The weather became unsettled from the end of the second week onwards, and on the 13th over 12mm of rain fell.

DecemberMild and wet with below average sunshine.

 Mean Temperature   7.0°C    
 Monthly Highest  11.9°C   Total Rain  78 mm
 Monthly Lowest   0.0°C  Total Sun  36 hrs

There was some sunshine on the 1st, but the temperature only reached 5.2°C. On the following night a ground frost occurred. Generally, the month was very unsettled, often cloudy and usually mild, although the maximum temperature was also only 5.2°C. on the 12th. Daily rainfall was not particularly high, but on the 5th, nearly 12mm of rain was recorded. The mildest weather occurred after mid month, and on the 20th the maximum temperature almost reached 12°C.


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