In Reading on 28 August in ...

1917

In August 1917, the weather turned nasty, as reported on September 1st in the Reading Mercury under the headline 'Summer gale - damage to crops and fruits'. Phenomenal weather for the time of year has been experienced this week. Rain fell on Sunday [26th], and on Monday afternoon and evening there was a perfect deluge. On Tuesday the conditions were but very little improved, and it was not until Wednesday afternoon that an improvement showed itself. All the same, a strong gale, which at times blew like a hurricane, prevailed. [The 0900 GMT mean wind speed at the University College on the 28th was force 8.] Large branches of trees have been blown down, and in the country districts there has been interference with traffic, whilst the Thames, Kennet, and the Loddon, have risen, with a very strong current running. The heavy rains have had a bad effect on the corn crops in the district, and some of the low-lying fields, in which wheat is standing in sheaves, are pretty under water; and there are instances where the water having over-run the banks, the corn is floating. A great deal of damage has been done to fruit, thousands of bushels having been brought to the ground. There is such an abundance of fruits that the damage is less serious than would otherwise have been the case.

1961

The first of 8 consecutive days, each reaching at least 25 C.

1979

One of the coldest August nights, the minimum temperature dropping down to 3.4 C in the air - and there was a slight ground frost.

1993

One of the lowest August grass minimum temperatures on record; the temperature fell to -2.2 C as Reading lay under an area of high pressure with light winds.