London is experiencing a wet and windy note to what is likely to be the warmest summer on record. The capital has been hit by numerous hot and dry spells which cumulated in four separate heatwaves.
This trend has mostly been down to Atlantic winds mostly being pushed above the UK, meaning we’ve experienced more warmer air pushing north from continental Europe. Low pressure is now the dominant force for the country’s weather once again which means conditions for the next few weeks will be unsettled and changeable.
But the Met Office’s long range forecast suggests summer isn’t over just yet, with dry and potentially warm periods expected at the end of next month.
‘Wet and windy weather’
A yellow weather warning is currently in place for London and South East England with up to 70mm of rain expected in some areas.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Steve Willington said: “A westerly regime is now in charge of the UK’s weather and will help fuel periods of wet and windy weather over the next few days, with showers and some longer spells of rain likely for much of the UK on Thursday and Friday.
“While many areas may welcome some rain after fairly prolonged dry weather, there’s a potential that over the next few days some parts of Wales, northwest England and western Scotland could see some impacts at times, which we’ll be keeping an eye on.”
London is expected to see changeable conditions over the weekend into next week with sunny intervals regularly disrupted by light showers. Temperatures should hover between 20C-22C.
The Met Office long range weather forecast is less accurate, but it suggests this trend of changeable weather should continue until at least mid-September. Temperatures could drop below average during this period with the potential for thunderstorms.
Will London experience an Indian Summer?
Towards the end of September, the Met Office said we could see a brief return or warm and settled weather. The long range forecast reads: “Conditions may begin to turn more settled and drier at times, particularly in the south. Temperatures are likely to be close to average, perhaps turning warmer later in the period.”
Forecast for London
Today (Friday):
Heavy rain and low cloud will spread northeast during the morning, with some thundery downpours. By the afternoon it will turn brighter with sunny intervals, though scattered heavy and possibly thundery showers will follow. It will feel breezy with highs of around 21 °C. Showers will clear eastwards in the evening, leaving dry and increasingly clear conditions overnight. Winds will ease after midnight, with lows near 11 °C.
Saturday:
The morning will be dry and sunny. Cloud will build through the afternoon, with isolated showers possible before a band of heavy rain arrives from the west later in the day. Winds will strengthen into the evening, with a top temperature of about 22 °C.
Sunday:
It will be a windy day with sunny spells. The morning looks mostly dry, though scattered showers are likely in the afternoon. Feeling cooler than recent days.
Monday:
A breezy day with variable cloud and frequent showers, some heavy and possibly thundery around midday.
Tuesday:
The morning may start dry and breezy, but an area of rain will move in from the southwest and could persist for much of the day, with strong winds possible.
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