Social distancing will become less of worry on beach
AFTER the heat and humidity of recent days – including the hottest day of the year so far, with 33.3C (92F) recorded to the west of London – things are on the turn.
The heatwave went out with a bang, with thunderstorms and hail in some areas, plus a welcome change from the sweltering night-time temperatures that have been keeping so many awake through to the early hours.
The week ahead is going to see the weather pendulum swing from extreme highs to below-average levels for the time of year. The deep lowpressure system that began to encroach yesterday is dominant in most parts today, bringing cooler, wetter and windier conditions. Bournemouth beach will find it a lot easier to maintain social distancing.
The wind, in particular, will be a feature, especially in northern parts of England and Scotland. While southern England, most of Wales and the Midlands will hold on to some of the sunshine, while also suffering the occasional shower, in the north-west of England and across Scotland, the rain will fall with ever-increasing persistence the further north you are. In north-west Scotland, there will precious little respite.
By contrast, the south eastern corner of England and East Anglia will see the best of what warmth is left at 21C (70F), with 18C (64F) from Plymouth through Birmingham to Liverpool, but Scotland struggling to 15C (59F). In short, a late June Sunday to forget, and the start of July promises little immediate improvement.
Low pressure maintains its grip through much of the coming week, bringing rain, unsettled conditions and an unsummery chill.
A short-lived, weak ridge of high pressure should build into southern parts on Wednesday, and briefly push up the temperature to around 23C (74F). But after that blip, its back to rain and cloud. There is, though, one bonus. The nights will be much cooler and we will get a good night’s sleep.