July 10th 2024.
As we all know, this summer hasn't exactly been the best in terms of weather. In fact, it's shaping up to be the coldest we've seen in over two decades. The Met Office has officially declared it a "wash out" for Europe, with more rainy days ahead. And just when we thought things couldn't get any worse, Hurricane Beryl from the US is expected to add even more wind and rain to the mix.
The reason for this unfortunate turn of events? Well, it seems that the Atlantic winds have returned after a brief break during spring. This change in weather pattern, also known as the "European Monsoon," is responsible for the constant downpours we've been experiencing. And it doesn't seem like it's going away anytime soon. In fact, Wimbledon is bracing for more wet bursts in the coming days, and it looks like we'll be enduring this damp weather for weeks to come.
According to a Met Office forecaster, there's no relief in sight. "It will remain unsettled," they say. "Next week is likely to see a mostly showery westerly breeze, possibly followed by a more settled spell in the middle of the week, only to be replaced by a showery northwesterly flow once again." And with strong winds expected near heavy showers and thunderstorms, it's not looking good for those of us hoping for a sunny day.
As if things couldn't get any worse, the average UK temperature this summer has been a chilly 12.8°C, a full 1°C colder than normal. In fact, it's on track to become the coldest summer since the year 2000. The Met Office explains that this "European Monsoon" phenomenon is the return of westerly winds in July after a possible weakening in late spring. And it's been so unpredictable that it's been given various names, like "Return of the Westerlies" or "European Monsoon."
Meteorologist Aidan McGivern also confirms that this summer has been unusually cold compared to recent years. "Since the year 2000, only 2012 had a similar temperature from June 1 to July 8," he says. And as if to add insult to injury, the Met Office has even issued yellow weather warnings for rain and thunderstorms in the past few days.
The impact of this cold, wet weather has been felt in various places, including Wimbledon. Attendance numbers have been lower than usual as fans queue in the rain and Centre Court spectators get drenched. Even in the busy streets of London, taxis are seen splashing through large puddles, and pedestrians are struggling to stay dry.
So who's to blame for this miserable weather? Well, we can point our fingers at the jet stream. This high-altitude air current has been flowing across the UK or further south, allowing low-pressure systems to move in, bringing along wind and rain. And while southern Europe has been enjoying heatwaves and sunny days, we've been stuck with cooler and more unpredictable conditions. It's safe to say that we're all hoping for a change in weather soon.
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