Summer of 1976 (Europe)

"The long hot summer of 1976 which eventually ended in September of that year, was the culmination of a 16-month dry spell - the longest recorded over England and Wales since 1727." [http://www.metoffice.gov.uk Quote From Met Office] "

The Summer of 1976 was considered, by many who lived through it to be the best and longest summer within in recent memory. Throughout Europe a large area of High Pressure dominated the majority of Europe for all of the Summer months.The Pressure system moved into place in late May 1976 and remained until the first traces of rain were recorded on August 27th and continued into the Bank Holiday weekend. Rainfall throughout the July-August period was down by half the annual average. During this spell of hot weather temperatures exceeded 32 °C at several weather stations within in the UK every day, and Cheltenham had 11, including seven successive days from 1 July - recording 35.9 °C on the 3rd.For that entire period much of Europe was bathed in continual sunshine with the UK seeing an average of more than 14 hours of bright sunshine. 1976 was dubbed, "The year of the Ladybird " in the UK due to mass numbers of Ladybirds brought on by the long hot period.