June 6th 2024.
On Monday, there was a glimmer of sunshine at Basildon Park in Berkshire. It was a welcome change from the previous month, which happened to be the warmest May in 140 years in the UK. It was quite a surprise, considering how much rain had fallen, earning the nickname "Miserable May." Despite the constant downpour, it was still warmer than usual, making it the warmest meteorological spring on record as well.
Unfortunately, there wasn't much time to enjoy the warm weather as it was mainly due to the high overnight temperatures and warm conditions in the northern half of the UK. So, even though it was technically warmer than usual, it didn't feel like summer had arrived just yet. And as for this weekend, it's not looking too promising either. Sorry to break it to you, but there won't be any torrential rain or snow. Instead, we can expect a pretty average weekend with cloudy skies and the possibility of some showers. However, there may be a few moments where the sun peeks through the clouds.
According to the Met Office, London can expect to have "largely dry with sunny spells" this weekend, but there is a chance of a shower on most days. The temperatures will also be on the cooler side, especially overnight. On Saturday, the high will be around 19°C, and on Sunday, it will be slightly cooler at 18°C. So, it might not be the best weekend for outdoor activities, but at least it won't be a complete washout.
Overall, the UK can expect a mix of sunshine and blustery showers in the north while the south will have drier conditions. In the latest London news, there was a photo of horses that had rampaged through the city. It's quite a sight to see, but thankfully, they have made a remarkable recovery. However, there was also some unfortunate news of a man dying after being stabbed in a fight in central London. And to stay updated with all the news in the capital, make sure to visit The Agency's London news hub.
As mentioned earlier, last month was the warmest May on record, with an average temperature of 13.1°C. It was a full 1°C higher than the previous record set in 2008. This record-breaking warmth is not just limited to the UK but is part of a global trend of continuously rising temperatures. In fact, April 2024 was the hottest month ever recorded on Earth, according to data released last month.
An Italian weather service has predicted that parts of the UK will experience a heatwave by June 15, with temperatures feeling like they are 30°C. However, in reality, it will be in the low to mid-20s. But high humidity may make it feel much warmer. As for the photos of walkers in Dunsen, Oxfordshire, a tourist boat on Lake Windermere in Cumbria, and mute swans at Brittens Pond in Worpleson, they were all taken on a dull, drizzly afternoon. And even though it was the early May Bank Holiday, it was still a wet day in London.
But according to the Met Office, there is no prediction of a heatwave just yet. They say that there could be some dry conditions and periods of sunshine, but by June 15, there is a chance of more unsettled weather. So, it's best not to get our hopes up just yet. And as for the year so far, the stats show that it has been quite wet. So, if you were doubting whether the Met Office was living in the same country as us by saying it was incredibly hot, don't worry, they are. In fact, the UK had its wettest spring since 1986 and the sixth wettest on record. On average, 301.7mm of rain fell across the country during March, April, and May, which is almost a third more than usual.
Moreover, there was a significant lack of sunshine in May, with the UK experiencing 17% fewer hours of sunshine than usual. England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland all had below-average sunshine hours. This is all a result of climate change, caused by human activities like burning fossil fuels and deforestation. It's pushing up temperatures globally and leading to extreme weather conditions like droughts, heatwaves, and intense rainfall. So, even though we may have enjoyed a brief period of warmth, we must also acknowledge the alarming consequences of our actions on the environment.
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