MET forecasters have made a habit of looking on the bright side when it comes to summer weather.

The Met Office originally predicted that last year's summer – which featured strong winds, little sunshine and heavy rain – would be warmer than average, with rainfall near or slightly above average. It became one of the wettest summers on record.

In 2007, the Met Office said the summer would be warmer than normal, giving no indication of the deluge to come. In fact, temperatures were below average and heavy rain and floods ensured it was the wettest summer for England and Wales since 1912, with thousands left homeless by floods in much of Yorkshire, the Midlands and the West Country.

And they’re not just over- optimistic during the summer months. Michael Fish never lived down his prediction for October, 1987, when the Great Storm battered Britain.

During the day, he had reassured viewers a hurricane was not on the way.

He said during the evening weather broadcast: “Earlier on today, apparently a lady rang the BBC and said she heard that there was a hurricane on the way. Well, don’t worry if you’re watching, there isn’t.”