1976 wasn't warmer, it was dryer, so if Giok's theory is correct, it was also cooler.   It just felt warm because we didn't have the clouds blocking the sun. I remember being outside all day, every day and not getting overly hot, it was definately more comfortable than 1998 was...

Mind you, we had a 6 week dry spell in 2008, from March 17th to May 2nd, we had no precipitation of any kind (but of course, predictably, at the May Day Bank Holiday weekend it pissed down like the wrath of God...), but it wasn't really noticeable because it was still spring and the general weather was cooler.

I'll just do what I always do, look out of the window and decide if it's ordinary sandals or wet weather sandals or stay indoors with the computer sandals... of course, where I am now, it's stay indoors or freeze your arse off... but that would be telling!

LTS