The summer season officially started this June, but it hasn’t exactly felt like it. For the first few weeks, temperatures have remained at 1-3C below average, with chilly winds, clouds and rain making it feel even colder. However, with the strong sunshine at times, it may have also felt a bit warmer.
As we enter the third week of June, temperatures are set to remain on the lower side of normal, with chilly northerly winds dominating the weather system. The week got off to a damp start, with heavy rain in eastern England and scattered showers elsewhere, accompanied by a strong northerly wind in East Anglia. Maximum temperatures hovered around 10-14C in the northern and eastern areas of the UK, making it feel more like early April than June. In other areas, temperatures may reach 15-17C, but that’s still three to five degrees colder than what’s typical for this time of the year.
Going deeper into the week, don’t expect much change in the temperature. Although one might feel warmer if they are out of the wind and in some sunshine, that’s the only reprieve from the chilly conditions. This weather can primarily be attributed to an area of high pressure in the mid-Atlantic and low pressure towards Scandinavia, causing the jet stream – a fast-moving wind high in the atmosphere – to drag colder air from the Arctic southwards into the UK.
Typically, one can expect the jet stream to position to the north of the UK during summer months, allowing warmer air to move in from the south. However, for now, the jet stream is in a north-south position over the UK and causing a northerly wind. Though slightly more settled weather may characterise the midweek, accompanied by lighter winds and intense June sunshine, the pattern may likely persist throughout the week, with colder air dragging from the Arctic.
Towards the end of the week, temperatures may start to rise gradually as the wind shifts to the west or south-west. Even then, the air coming in from the west generally originates from the Arctic region. Our perception of “warmer” may be countered by spells of rain, thunderstorms, and brisk winds. We may need to wait until the last week of June before more stable weather sets in, a possibility suggested in the latest monthly outlook from the office. Specifically – signs that high pressure will build up near or over parts of the UK for an extended period. This would mean the likelihood of more serene weather with drier conditions, and temperatures that rise about, or above average
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