The Spectator

What weather records were broken in 2019?

Keeping it in the family

A study by the Middle East Technical University claimed to prove that the pronounced chin of Charles II of Spain and many of his Habsburg relatives was the result of marriage between cousins. Some royals who went even further:
— Tutankhamun’s wife Ankhesenamun is believed to have been his half-sister. She bore two daughters who both died in infancy.
— King Rama V of Siam (1868-1910), also known as Chulalongkorn, is reputed to have had 77 children with 92 different consorts, four of whom were his half-sisters.
— Princess Nahienaena of Hawaii (1815-1836) bore a daughter with her brother, Prince Kauikeaouli. The baby died.


Ultra marginals

Seats left with majorities of less than 100 after the 2017 general election:

Majority / Party

Arfon 92 / PC
Glasgow E. 75 / SNP
Glasgow S.W. 60 / SNP
Crewe and Nantwich 48 / Lab
Richmond Park 45 / Con
Southampton Itchen 31 / Con
Newcastle under Lyme 30 / Lab
Dudley N. 22 / Lab
Perth and Perthshire N. 21 / SNP
Kensington 20 / Lab
N.E. Fife 2 / SNP

Highs and lows

Some weather records broken this year (˚C):
— New national high temperature records for Germany (42.6°), Netherlands (40.7°), Belgium (38.7°), UK (38.7°).
— City highs for Paris (42.6°), New Delhi (48°), Adelaide (46.6°), Santiago (38.3°).
30.8° at Rio Grande, Argentina, thought to be the most southerly temperature of more than 30° recorded.
— State record low for Illinois (-38.9°).
— Monthly average low temperature city record for Great Falls, Montana (-17.9°).
— Deepest snow recorded in June at Weissfluhjoch, Switzerland (270cm).





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