What's the weather like?

Have you ever wondered how we know it's "the hottest July for 137 years", the "wettest month ever recorded" or "the coldest year since records began"?

For decades, the professionals have been aided by amateur weather watchers who provide data to give accurate and detailed reports.

Video Journalist: Alex Dackevych

Producer: Helen Weaver

Keep up with the @BBCArchive project on Twitter.

28 November 2017