ESSENTIAL fashion advice for anyone planning to head outdoors to enjoy the jubilee celebrations: umbrellas and macs are looking the perfect accessories. The turnout for the Thames pageant and other events may be high but the thermometer readings won’t be. More disappointing is that the change follows the longest warm spell in May since 1992.
A Scottish temperature record for May of 29.3C was set on May 25 at Achnagart in Highland, topping the previous record of 29C in 1992 at Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Garden.
Last weekend would have made a smasher of a bank holiday. With temperatures of 28C and almost crystal-clear blue skies it was perfect weather for picnics and sunbathing. Temperatures ebbed after that summery start. The Olympic Park recorded a high of 28C on Monday, Charlwood in Surrey hit 27C on Tuesday but by midweek cloud and thundery showers brought the first signs of change.
By the end of the week a cold front had swept across all areas, chasing the showery rain away but introducing cooler air and fresher northeasterly winds. Although high pressure brought a drier and brighter interlude for the start of the jubilee celebrations yesterday, rain was on its way across southern Ireland and southwest Britain, setting the scene for this unsettled spell.
Expect it to feel particularly cold and miserable today across much of England, Wales and Northern Ireland with easterly winds. The southwest may brighten later and more northern counties may remain largely dry. Scotland looks fine. Rain should peter out slowly tomorrow with the chance of a dry evening in London. Tuesday’s state procession should be fine, although rain will spread from the west later. From midweek expect unsettled weather to spread.
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Isobel Lang is a Sky News forecaster
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