London has been blessed with unusually dry spring weather, with temperatures reaching 28C in certain areas.
Many people have welcomed the sunshine, but it has also caused some worry, especially for gardeners, farmers, and anybody else who depends on consistent rainfall.
The weekend will begin fairly gloomy, but as Saturday morning wears on, patches of cloud will break up and the sky will gradually become brighter. The afternoon and evening will be bright and sunny.
Sunday morning will also begin with cloudy weather, but the clouds will break in early afternoon hours.
Any early cloud cover will dissipate on Monday, allowing for an abundance of sunshine throughout the day.
Tuesday is going to be sunny and dry as usual. However, there’s a risk that clouds will accumulate in the latter part of the day.
But why has it been so dry in London and when can we expect rain?
Why has it been so dry in London?
A continuous area of high pressure that has dominated our skies since the end of February is the primary cause of the dry weather, according to the Met Office.
As descending air is brought in by high pressure systems, cloud formation is inhibited and rain is prevented. This specific system has developed into what meteorologists refer to as a “blocking high” a pattern that remains immobile and keeps other weather systems from approaching.
An increased jet stream, a high-altitude movement of swiftly moving air that typically aids in guiding weather systems, has strengthened this blocking high.
Prolonged dry spells like the one we are currently seeing can result from the jet stream becoming wavy or “meandering” which can trap high pressure in place.
When will it rain in London?
London is set to remain dry through the weekend and into next week.
However, the Met Office predicts a slow transition towards more erratic weather as next week draws to a close.
Light rain and gentle breeze is anticipated from Friday, May 23 until the end of the month across London.
The return of more normal spring weather may finally provide some respite for those waiting for rain, however temperatures are predicted to stay around 20C or slightly above that for the season.