Are we set for another summer like 1976?

Flares and Chopper bikes, Derek Hobson on New Faces. The Wurzels vying with Kiki Dee and Elton John in the charts. And months and months of endless sunshine. Who could forget the sizzling hot summer of 76?

The dried-up River Severn in Bewdley, pictured by Charles Kenchington during the drought of 1976

Of course, it's only July, and if there is one thing you can predict about the great British weather, it is that it will always be unpredictable. Nevertheless, if the early signs are anything to go by, the summer of 2018 could be set to give that of 1976 a pretty good run for its money.

By the middle of July, 1976, Northern Ireland had seen 12 days with no recorded rainfall. This year, the province clocked up 15 days of zero average rainfall just in June.

It is a similar story in Scotland, which had seven rain-free days between June 1 and July 17, 1976. This year the record had already been equalled by the end of June.

The figures for England and Wales are harder to compare. In 1976, there were 16 rain-free days recorded between June 1 and July 17, compared to eight rain-free days during June this year. We will need to wait for this month's figures before we can make a realistic comparison, but it certainly looks possible.

What we do know is that June 2018 was drier than June 1976. Average rainfall across the UK totalled 37.5mm (1.48in) in June 1976, but the provisional figure for this year is 35.4mm (1.39in), making last month the ninth driest June on record.

Last month was also sunnier than June 1976, with an average of 239.9 hours of sunshine recorded compared to 205.5 back in 76.

On the other hand, this summer's temperatures have yet to reach the highs of 42 years ago. In 1976, the mercury first peaked at 35.6C (96.1F) in Southampton on June 28, and then broke the record again on July 3 when it reached 35.9C (96.6F) in Cheltenham.

Elan Valley was bone dry during the summer of 1976

Firemen dealing with a forest fire at Haughmond Hill, near Shrewsbury, in August, 1976

Denis Howell was appointed Minister for Drought

Peter Watkin standing on the dry river bed of the Rhiew at the Revel Bridge in Berriew, near Welshpool, in August 1976. Photo: Freda James

Army Green Goddess fire engines were on standby at Shrewsbury fire station in 1976 as demands on the fire services soared

Children in Water Street, Chase Terrace, waiting patiently for rain: Lindsey Fisher, 10, Elizabeth Heath, 8, Susan Fisher, 8, Christine Heath, 13, and Sharon Fisher, 6.

Standpipes were introduced in Devon to ease water shortages

So far this year, the highest temperature recorded anywhere in the UK was 33C (91.4F) at Porthmadog, but there is plenty of time yet. That said, by the middle of July 1976, the UK had seen 15 consecutive days when temperatures reached 32C (89.6F) or higher somewhere in the UK, compared to just two consecutive days this year – June 28 and 29.

Of course, there have been heatwaves since 1976, which have broken some of records set 42 years ago. For example the summer of 1995 was drier, and the hottest temperature ever recorded in the UK came in 2003, when the mercury reached 38.5C (101.3F) at Brogdale, near Faversham, Kent on August 10. This was the only time on record that Britain breached the 100F mark, although it followed a cool and wet two-week period at the end of July and beginning of August. The warmest single month on record came in July, 2006.

However, the thing that marks out the summer of 1976 as the benchmark was the length of time the heatwave – and the associated drought –lasted for. From June, right the way through to September, there was barely any rain, with parts of south-western England going 45 days without rainfall. The River Severn was reduced to little more than a stream, and army Green Goddesses were on standby to support the regular fire service which had been overwhelmed with the forest fires sweeping the tinder-dry countryside.

As the summer wore on, the joy of the warm weather gradually made way for concern about the water shortages – at least among the grown-ups. Water rationing saw standpipes installed in some parts of the country, and on August 31, the crowd at Lords broke out into spontaneous applause when rain interrupted play – it was the first precipitation in London in more than six weeks.

It should be remembered, though, that the drought of 1976 followed a dry summer the previous year, as well below-average levels of rainfall during the winter and spring. By the time the summer arrived, water levels were already below what was normal for that time of year, and the ground was bone-dry.

So far this year, there has been no need to impose the dramatic measures imposed in 1976. Water-rationing has been restricted to the north-west, where United Utilities introduced a hosepipe ban this week, Northern Ireland, and the Scilly Isles. Elsewhere, water companies are simply advising people to conserve water.

Students of history will also note another striking parallel between now and 1976. Earlier that year, following a divisive referendum on Britain's membership of the Common Market, Prime Minister Harold Wilson quit, and was replaced by Jim Callaghan, a former home secretary who had been responsible for renegotiating the terms of Britain's membership. By this time he led a minority government and was dependent on the support of smaller parties.

Many will also remember that the drought ended in September after the new Minister for Drought – Birmingham MP Denis Howell – performed a rain dance at Downing Street.

Food for thought for any ambitious/opportunistic MP wanting to make a name for themselves.