The UK's average temperature this summer was among the lowest in 20 years as parts of the country endured up to three times the average rainfall during August, the Met Office has revealed.
Temperatures hit a record high in July but a cold August dragged the average mercury reading down to 13.9C, while low pressure meant the end of the season was unsettled and colder than usual.
In the last two decades, only 1998 and 2011 were colder, while 2012 saw the same figure of 13.9C recorded across the UK.
The Met Office also admitted it had failed to predict the wash-out endured by Britain over the last few months.
Chief scientist Prof Dame Julia Slingo said: “No one can deny we have had a pretty disappointing summer with a lot of unsettled weather and only a few warm spells, especially through July and August.
“Our weather has been dominated by low pressure over and to the west of the country that has brought us periods of heavy rain from the south – what we call the Spanish Plume.
“As the season progressed all the leading models around the world failed to capture the signal for unsettled weather over the UK.
“We all know forecasting months and seasons ahead is still in its infancy and much more research needs to be done.”
It is hoped the use of a new £97 million supercomputer, the first phase of which went live this week, will allow more accurate weather forecasts in future, she added.
It was the wettest end to the summer in 50 years for Dorset, Hampshire and Guernsey, the Met Office said.
Cornwall and the south coast had to cope with up to three times the average rainfall for August.
The UK average last summer was 14.8C, half a degree up on the typical summer temperature recorded over the last 30 years of 14.3C.
Rainfall in July and August was 140 per cent and 120pc of normal readings respectively.
This year’s temperature makes it the coldest summer for three years.
Additional reporting by Press Association
