Met Office says wind and rain to return to UK but hopes high for a warm Jubilee weekend

Wet weather and gusty winds are about to return to the UK next week but forecasters are quietly confident that the warm weather will return in time for the Jubilee weekend.

According to the Met office, temperatures could climb to 24C (75.2F) tomorrow (Sunday, May 22) in London, but by next week rain and strong winds are expected to sweep across most of the country as a result of the strengthening of the jet stream. Deputy chief meteorologist Dan Rudman said: “The strengthening of the jet stream increases the chances of low pressure systems developing over the Atlantic being pushed towards the UK.

“Although there are still some details to be determined on the depth and timings of these lows, what we do know is that there’s some unsettled weather on the way next week, with some strong winds likely from the middle of the week, especially in the north. Weather of this nature isn’t unusual in a UK spring, with changes in the jet stream frequently bringing interludes of unsettled weather.”

Hot weather in the south caused some spectacular thunderstorms, including one over Westminster cathedral in central London (Adam Peck/PA)

Temperatures are expected to drop next week to of 16C (61F) in the South West and 14C (57F) in parts of the North East. The average temperature for May in England is 16C (60.8F), but temperatures soared to 27.5C (81.5F) on Tuesday in south-eastern areas. However, this also created the climate for some spectacular thunderstorms in southern and eastern England during the week.

Forecasters are also now considering likely the possibility of "blood rain", when relatively high concentrations of red dust or particles get mixed into rain and make it look red-hued as it falls. Blood rain, when it occurs in the UK, often leaves desert sand residue on cars and other surfaces.

Warm summery weather is going to leave us during the week but should return in time for the Jubilee (PA)

Despite the gloomy forecast for the coming week, there is no need to cancel outdoor Jubilee street parties just yet, as the Met Office offered cautious optimism for the June bank holiday. They said: “We’re still some two weeks away from the Jubilee Weekend, but the long-range outlook shows a trend for some possible warm weather in southern areas, and closer to average temperatures further north.”

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