London is set to experience a significant shift in weather patterns, with heavy rain forecast for the start of September, according to the latest BBC forecast. After a period of successive heatwaves, the coming weeks are expected to bring relief from the drought, with eight of the next 14 days predicted to see rainfall.
Rainfall Details and Probability
The BBC, like other meteorological services, operates on a probability scale, meaning the forecast indicates a decent chance of rain rather than an absolute guarantee. Most of the rainy days are expected to be fairly light, but September 1 is forecast to be considerably wetter, with heavy rain expected. This follows a rainy bank holiday weekend, with rain predicted on Sunday, August 30, and Monday, August 31.
Saturday, August 29, is expected to be a sunny day with temperatures in the low to mid-twenties Celsius, but the four days prior to that are also set to see rain. The Friday, August 28, may even see some thundery conditions between 5 and 7 pm, according to the forecast.
Temperature Trends and Relief from Heat
The rain is coming as a blessed relief for Londoners tired of the heat. Temperatures over the next two weeks are expected to peak at around 24°C on Sunday, August 23. However, the Met Office has refused to rule out the possibility that temperatures could rise again, though it steers clear of forecasting an actual heatwave.
Given the difficulty of forecasting this far ahead, current predictions are liable to change. The Met Office's outlook states: "A rather unsettled start to autumn is most likely with all areas probably seeing a mixture of showers or longer spells rain interspersed with drier interludes. Temperatures likely varying around average, some warm or hot spells are possible but unlikely prolonged in early September. By mid-September, there may be an increase in the extent of drier, more settled weather, especially in the south and east, though signals become very weak."
