The BBC has issued a bleak weather outlook for the rest of May, predicting nine consecutive days of rain and thunderstorms for London. Between May 13 and May 21, the capital is expected to experience daily rainfall, ranging from light drizzle to heavy thundery showers, marking a significant shift from the warm and sunny conditions seen in late April, when temperatures reached 23°C.
Met Office Confirms Unsettled Conditions
The Met Office's long-term forecast echoes the BBC's predictions, stating that "changeable and at times rather unsettled conditions look to dominate through the middle part of May, with low pressure often close by." This means periods of rain or showers, some heavy, for many places, though some drier interludes are also expected. WX Charts, a weather forecasting service, also shows varying degrees of rain across the next week and a half, with the heaviest downpour expected on Friday, May 15, at 6am, where up to 0.8mm of rain per hour could soak the capital.
Day-by-Day Forecast for London
- Wednesday, May 13: High 17°C, Low 7°C, light rain showers and a gentle breeze.
- Thursday, May 14: High 15°C, Low 8°C, light rain showers and light winds.
- Friday, May 15: High 16°C, Low 9°C, light rain and a gentle breeze.
- Saturday, May 16: High 17°C, Low 9°C, drizzle and a gentle breeze.
- Sunday, May 17: High 17°C, Low 11°C, light rain showers and a gentle breeze.
- Monday, May 18: High 18°C, Low 11°C, thundery showers and a gentle breeze.
- Tuesday, May 19: High 18°C, Low 11°C, thundery showers and light winds.
- Wednesday, May 20: High 20°C, Low 11°C, light rain showers and a gentle breeze.
- Thursday, May 21: High 20°C, Low 11°C, drizzle and a gentle breeze.
This prolonged period of wet weather is a stark contrast to the warm end of April, which saw thermostats hit 23°C with the sun beating down on the capital. The gloomy forecast is likely to dampen spirits as Londoners brace for a soggy mid-May.
