I seem to remember the first half of summer 2009 as being good in this neck of the woods. Wimbledon fortnight had plenty of glorious weather. Second half was poor.
Met Office blamed for what and by whom? If it isn't as severe as it might've been, almost everyone will be mightily pleased and relieved. Surely preferable to be prepared then reprieved than the other way around.
Mild and dry please with plenty of sunshine. Don't mind a touch of early frost so long as it warms up nicely during the day. And all done by the end of February; spring 2013 was deeply unpleasant.
Back to back good summers: 75/76, 83/84, 89/90, 05/06
Might be able to squeeze 95/96 in too. 95 was a peach and 96 though not as good had its moments.
Hopefully we'll be able to add 13/14 this time next year.
I realise that March and April aren't summer months, technically or otherwise. I was responding to your suggestion that since 2006, March and April were winter-like.
What about April 2007, April 2011 and March 2012? Each of those months contained lengthy spells that were as sunny and warmer than the first third of this month (in this neck of the woods at least).
I'm starting a whip-round with a view to sending laserguy off to South Georgia for the next three months. As an inducement to potential contributors it should be known that Internet connectivity on the island is very intermittent.