London could soon be battered by two days of thunderstorms as forecasters warn that the capital is heading into a wetter spell after a mild start to the week. Weather is predicting intermittent rain and lightning on Saturday, May 9 and Sunday, May 10, with the city forecast to see thundery showers on both days.
The warning matters because the rain is not arriving as a brief interruption. Meteorologists are now warning of 11 days of rain between May Day and Saturday, May 17, and the latest day-by-day outlook suggests the unsettled pattern begins on Friday, May 8, when the Met Office is anticipating an unsettled theme. London is forecast to have drizzle and light wind at 18C/11C that day, before temperatures hold near the mid-teens to low 20s through the period.
The run-up to the weekend is still relatively calm. Monday, May 4 is forecast to bring 19C/10C, drizzle and light winds. Tuesday, May 5 is set for 18C/8C, light cloud and a gentle breeze. Wednesday, May 6 should reach 15C/7C with light cloud and a gentle breeze, while Thursday, May 7 is forecast to bring 17C/9C, light cloud and light wind. The first sharp turn comes on Friday, when the outlook shifts to drizzle and a more unsettled feel.
Saturday, May 9 is expected to bring 19C/11C with thundery showers and a gentle breeze, followed by 18C/11C and the same conditions on Sunday, May 10. Weather is predicting intermittent rain and lightning on both days, making the weekend the most disruptive part of the forecast. The rain does not stop there. Monday, May 11 is forecast to bring 17C/9C, light rain and a gentle breeze, and Tuesday, May 12 is set for 18C/9C with light rain showers and a gentle breeze.
The broader picture from the Met Office is that most places are likely to see some rain or showers at times, alongside some drier, brighter weather. It says the emphasis on wetter conditions may be more towards the south at first, with temperatures likely to stay near normal there throughout. Later in the period, low pressure may become more likely to set up to the north of the UK.
That shift helps explain why the next fortnight is being described as taking the miserable route after a weekend that saw clear skies and temperatures rival holiday destinations such as Lisbon, Rome and Hawaii. For London, though, the key point is simpler: after the warm spell, the city is now entering a stretch where rain is likely to keep returning, and the only real break may be a brief dry, warm interlude before mid-month.
