Two Atlantic storm systems look set to bring heavy rain and thundery weather to the country as early as this coming weekend. The forecast also predicts strong coastal winds which are set to 'obliterate' the high pressure that has kept the sun shining throughout most of the summer.
The Met Office South West England forecast for this week says that the weather in our region will be mostly dry and sunny, with things turning "wetter and windier" into the weekend, particularly on Saturday. Then, the beginning of September will see 'thick cloud and heavy or thundery periods of rain or showers to many places'.
The forecast also mentions longer spells of rain, strong winds and a risk of gales. Jim Dale, meteorologist for British Weather Services, said: “After the bank holiday and during next week, high pressure, which will bring pleasant weather this weekend, will drop away and retreat to Scandinavia.
Read more: Drought confirmed in Bristol, South Gloucestershire and rest of South West
“I think that then we are going to see more in the way of significant Atlantic activity later in the week. This will arrive as rain, and although it is not going to bring an immediate end to the drought, it will be the start of a gradual unwinding.
"This first significant rain may mark the beginning of the end of the drought, which is going to still take some time to resolve.”
High pressure has been the driver for warm, fine weather this summer and exceptional heat during July and August. However it will eventually collapse at the hands of the active weather systems gearing up to sweep in from the Atlantic.
Mr Dale said: “The jet stream is sinking southwards, and this could trigger more activity from the Atlantic.
“While high pressure has been blocking low pressure through the end of August, this eventually retreats, and there is the chance of significant rainfall during the first week of September from a low-pressure system coming in from the west.
“We will also be looking to the Atlantic through September for ex-tropical storm activity.”
South West England weather forecast (according to the Met Office)
This Evening and Tonight:
A dry evening to come, with plenty of late sunshine ahead of dusk. Staying dry overnight with clear skies but breezy at southern coasts. Staying mild for most, but feeling chilly in the countryside. Minimum temperature 12 °C.
Wednesday:
Another dry day ahead with plenty of prolonged sunny spells, the best of these across western parts. Feeling warm in the sunshine, though still breezy towards the coasts. Maximum temperature 25 °C.
Outlook for Thursday to Saturday:
Largely dry on Thursday with plenty of sunny spells. Turning wetter and windier into the weekend, particularly on Saturday.
UK long range weather forecast (according to the Met Office)
The Met Office reports: "The start of this period is expected to bring areas of thick cloud and heavy or thundery periods of rain or showers to many places. Any periods of rain could be longer spells than recently experienced. Strong winds are also likely in places, perhaps with a risk of gales too.
"Temperatures are expected to be around average but could be variable, especially under longer spells of rain where it may be cooler, or in any sunshine which will feel warmer. Towards the end of the period, the rainfall is likely to die out, leading to many areas becoming a little drier, although there may still be a chance of showers for many places. Temperatures will probably be around average."
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