Summer leavin’
Some of the Wimbledon games will be in hands of Mother Nature FORECASTER FAITH EHERTS ON TOURNAMENT Downpours forecast as sunny spell comes to end BATHERS Basking in Brighton sun
IT has been hotter than the Algarve in the past few days but now we are being warned to dig out our brollies.
The heatwave, which saw some places in the South hit 31C as tropical air blew in from the Continent, will be replaced with downpours this week as temperatures take a big dip.
The mercury is set to drop almost 10C in places compared to last week.
And tennis fans have been warned to prepare for a deluge at Wimbledon, though Centre Court’s roof covers should prevent it from being a complete washout.
The mercury will reach no more than 25C in the South today and will fall to around 22C by the end of the week.
Cooler winds elsewhere will see temperatures struggle to get much above 17C during the day, before sinking to low single figures overnight. The Met Office predicts a mixed bag of sunshine, showers and cooler winds over the coming days.
Forecaster Mark Wilson said: “There is a massive change afoot with the weather this week. It will feel much fresher, with more rain around. A band of rain moves across northwestern regions [today], although showers could occur pretty much anywhere. The South will feel warm at around 25C.
“Very unsettled conditions continue into [tomorrow], with widespread showers around. These will be more persistent in the south west and there is the risk of some rain for Wimbledon.
“It is a similar picture for Wednesday and through to the end of the week, with longer spells of rain and a bit of brightness forecast.
“We have done pretty well over the past week, so people will notice a difference over the next few days.”
It will feel fresher in the coming days, but temperatures will be at or above normal for the time of year.
AccuWeather forecaster Faith Eherts said: “Conditions may take a turn for the worse [tomorrow]. Showery spells will become more common and lengthier spells of rain may develop.
“While Centre Court has a retractable roof, the other championship and practice courts remain open to the elements, thus leaving the start and completion times of some matches in the hands of Mother Nature.”