London set for days of rain at end of record hot and dry summer

Rain on the Horizon for London

Londoners are being told to prepare for a significant change in weather as one of the hottest and driest summers on record draws to a close. The capital is forecast for days of rainfall later this month, with temperatures having already dropped markedly to a maximum of around 27C on Saturday, according to the Evening Standard.

The BBC Weather team predicts that temperatures will gradually reduce to around 22C by Friday, August 21, before rain is finally expected to hit the capital on Sunday, August 23. Light showers are predicted to persist throughout the day, with forecasters expecting showers to continue over the following three days – Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday – reaching their highest precipitation on the last of those days.

My London adds another layer to the forecast, reporting that six days of rain and thunder in a row are set to hit London between Wednesday, August 26, and Bank Holiday Monday, August 31. The team at BBC Weather are predicting wet weather with thunderclaps ringing out across London during this period, according to the outlet.

A Sobering End to the Summer Holidays

The gloomy outlook has raised concern for schoolchildren and partygoers alike. My London notes that parents have survived the majority of the summer holidays, but the toughest mission yet to keep children entertained before they return to school looks set to be right around the corner. The forecast is described as a "very miserable forecast indeed" for anyone hoping to spend time outside, with Notting Hill Carnival partygoers also expected to be affected.

However, there is a silver lining for gardeners. The same source points out that anyone with a garden who has been performing a "rain dance" during the summer heatwaves in a desperate bid for a proper downpour to revive their grass will be hoping this latest long-term forecast proves correct.

The Meteorological Picture

The Met Office's long-range forecast for London runs from Thursday, August 27, until Saturday, September 5, and offers detailed insight into the expected conditions. According to My London, the forecast reads: "A relatively unsettled start to this period, as showers or longer spells of rain are possible across many parts of the UK. Some heavy bursts and thunderstorms are likely at times. It will likely remain changeable into early September, with rainfall amounts probably above average for the time year and the potential for some stronger winds at times."

Meteorologists attribute this unsettled weather to "an area of low pressure coming in from the west." Low pressure occurs because the air weighs less on the ground, is pushed upward, where it cools and condenses into clouds.

The BBC Weather day-by-day forecast for London until September 4, as detailed by My London, shows a mix of conditions:

• Saturday, August 22: High of 21C, sunny intervals and light winds.
• Sunday, August 23: High of 24C, sunny intervals and light winds.
• Monday, August 24: High of 22C, sunny intervals and a moderate wind.
• Tuesday, August 25: High of 24C, sunny intervals and a gentle breeze.
• Wednesday, August 25: High of 25C, thundery showers and light winds.
• Thursday, August 27: High of 23C, thundery showers and light winds.
• Friday, August 28: High of 22C, thundery showers and a moderate wind.
• Saturday, August 29: High of 22C, drizzle and a gentle breeze.
• Sunday, August 30: High of 23C, light rain showers and a gentle breeze.
• Monday, August 31: High of 22C, thundery showers and a gentle breeze.
• Tuesday, September 1: High of 23C, sunny intervals and a gentle breeze.
• Wednesday, September 2: High of 23C, light rain and a gentle breeze.
• Thursday, September 3: High of 23C, sunny intervals and a gentle breeze.
• Friday, September 4: High of 23C, thundery showers and a gentle breeze.

The forecast has been reported by both My London and the Evening Standard, with each outlet highlighting different aspects of the information.

The Context of a Dry Summer

The imminent wet weather arrives at the end of a summer described by the British Association for the Advancement of Science as one of the hottest and driest on record. The Evening Standard context noted that London has experienced drought conditions and heatwaves, with a large section of a pond in Wanstead Park, east London, having dried up.

Government and Royal Response to Wildfires

Alongside the weather shift, the Evening Standard reported that the Prince of Wales thanked emergency services battling wildfires across Britain on Saturday.

He said: "Our thoughts are with everyone affected, particularly those who have lost their homes, and with those working to protect communities, homes and the countryside."

In the same vein, Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged to increase funding for fire and rescue services. He said: "The chancellor and the communities secretary at my request are convening emergency, financial support, a package of support, for fire and rescue services that have been significantly affected."

The mayor also made a wider point about climate, stating it is "clear the climate is changing" and the country has to "react accordingly." He further pledged to convene a summit with fire and rescue services at the end of the summer to ensure they are properly resourced going forward.

As the capital prepares for the wet weather, the exact timing and intensity remain subject to change, but all indications are that a changeable autumnal period is on its way.