This summer has been a very useful way of putting 2013 in context. It's clear July 2013 was miles better, warmer, drier than 2014, and it was in danger if being rather prematurely forgotten, like July 1994.
Yet despite all that this year we seem to be feeling it more. I think the secret is that for a summer to be remembered well, it has to have at least two very good months. We've had June and July, but also a very usable mid and late spring. Despite a lack if anything exceptional it's felt like a good summer.
2013 suffers in the same way as 1999 (July), 1997 (Aug), 1996 (June), 2010 (June), and 2009 (August) in being a single very good month surrounded by crap. The opposite in every way would be 1989, pretty good from May to September and still at the top of my summer index leaderboard for the extended summer season. This year could have a chance of emulating a bit of 1989.
Originally Posted by: TimS