Inspiration for those dogged by perspiration
As we anticipate the arrival of those lazy, hazy days of summer, we tend to focus on the warmth, eating in the garden and days at the beach. But the past week, with its steadily rising temperatures, has reminded us of another often overlooked aspect of summer – the humidity.
In southern parts of the country, in particular, it has been uncomfortably close, especially when you are crammed into a crowded commuter train. And that clammy feel will hang on in there today, before giving way to something fresher.
The cause of our perspiration has been the constant warm airflow heading up over the UK from the South West, accompanied by both sunshine and showers.
It was still very much in evidence yesterday when the mercury touched 81F (27C) in East Anglia. But a cold front will begin to build in from the west this morning, bringing rain and adding a sudden chill to the air. It will move slowly eastwards during the day, only reaching the south-eastern corner and balmy East Anglia by late afternoon. Over in the western half of the country, expect 61F (16C) anywhere from Plymouth and Cardiff to Belfast and Glasgow. Over in the east, Norwich and London will make 75F (24C) before it tails off, and Hull 70F (21C).
The weather front will have moved away into the North Sea by the start of the working week, when our morning journey will be made more comfortable by the cooler air, but still subject to showers. And the rest of the week is looking unsettled, with the jet stream, the air current in the high atmosphere that blows west to east across the Atlantic and shapes our weather, currently sitting slap bang over the UK. Low pressure is set to dominate, and with it rainy, cloudy and occasionally windy conditions, mitigated only by the odd burst of sunshine. Summer is still some way off, for better or for worse.