Still not reached 21C here this year, tomorrow will be the day I think. It was 20.7C today at 17:37.

The high was 24.1C today. 26-27C tomorrow.

Max of 23.0C here today and still 20.6C 

The first evening this summer where as soon as the sun has dropped it hasn't turned cold. Made better obviously due to no wind. Even in contrast to yesterday...this evening is completely different. 

Everyone is outside...no jumpers required. More of the same please!

*Thud!*

Those nettles never die from the dryness but only time it did really killed off nicely was in August 1995 as it didn't rain for weeks and constant 25-35C temps.  It only recovered quickly when the rains came in September.  In August 2003 failed to kill them off because of quite a damp at times in July.

Stinging nettles have deeper root systems then simple grasses so they should be able to tap into more ground water. They do die of in full sunshine spots occasionaly during some summers, but flurish in the shady parts.

Down here we have heavy clay based soils and during the warmer sunny months (and we get a lot of summer sunshine) the clay soil dries, this happens most years. Once the soil has started to dry the odd rainy day wont make a huge difference because the rain just runs off it. This is one of the main reasons for the parching of the local fields and shorelines; the other reason is the natural cycle of the grass - once fully grown it must dry up to release its seeds.

This picture is from 2010 but i've posted to give an idea of a typical grassy area during mid/ late summer. That dinosaur was located on Southsea Common...

Definitely feels like it is going to be hot today. Had breakfast in the garden at 7 before coming to work and you could really feel the heat from the sun then. Crystal clear skies and here I am in the office.....

Warmer here today at 19C already.

20c here already and climbing. 

Too good for some people..Sun out..Out comes the strimmers and mowers buzzing away..Then the Bar be que..Tractors are mowing the meadows .The shops are advertising the booze...Best just to sit in thshade and relax finding a view to enjoy..No rushing round in the heatwave is good for you..

Yesterdays max of 20.0c  was equalled here today at 09.45hrs.

Currently 20.3c and climbing nicely 

Personally, I view it as a spell of potentially warm/very warm daytime weather. Uppers are good but it was quite cold last night. Down to 8'C again. Yesterday got to 24'C which quite acceptable but today has more cloud.

Humidity may be the key to whether I regard this as heat or just a nice warm spell. It's early days but this certainly isn't a 2006 stylee so far. It reminds me more of August 1983 which was a very pleasant month which followed the searing heat of that July