London is set to experience six consecutive days of rain and thunderstorms, according to the latest forecast from BBC Weather, delivering a damp end to the school summer holidays. The wet spell is predicted to begin on Wednesday, August 26, and continue through Bank Holiday Monday, August 31, with thunderclaps expected across the capital.
Forecast Details for the Final Week of August
The BBC Weather team's day-by-day forecast for London shows thundery showers from Wednesday, August 26, through Friday, August 28, with highs of 25C, 23C, and 22C respectively. Saturday, August 29, is expected to bring drizzle with a high of 22C, while Sunday, August 30, will see light rain showers and a high of 23C. The Bank Holiday Monday, August 31, is forecast to have thundery showers again, with a high of 22C.
Before the wet weather arrives, Londoners can enjoy sunny intervals and light winds through Tuesday, August 25, with highs ranging from 21C to 24C. The Met Office's long-range forecast, covering Thursday, August 27, to Saturday, September 5, also predicts an unsettled period, noting that "showers or longer spells of rain are possible across many parts of the UK" and that "heavy bursts and thunderstorms are likely at times."
Impact on Outdoor Events and Gardeners
The prolonged rainy spell is expected to disrupt plans for families looking to entertain children before the new school term begins. It will also affect attendees of the Notting Hill Carnival, which traditionally takes place over the Bank Holiday weekend, with partygoers likely to face wet conditions.
However, the forecast will be welcome news for gardeners who have been hoping for a proper downpour to revive their lawns after summer heatwaves. The Met Office attributes the changeable conditions to "an area of low pressure coming in from the west," which causes air to rise, cool, and condense into clouds.
Looking Ahead to Early September
The Met Office's long-range outlook suggests the unsettled weather may persist into early September, with "rainfall amounts probably above average for the time of year" and "the potential for some stronger winds at times." BBC Weather's extended forecast for London shows sunny intervals returning on Tuesday, September 1, but light rain is expected again on Wednesday, September 2, followed by sunny intervals on Thursday, September 3, and thundery showers on Friday, September 4.
