Dry spell to end next week, albeit briefly, says Met Office
RAIN showers might finally arrive at the end of next week, bringing Guernsey its first measurable rain fall this month.
But there are unlikely to be any downpours.
The island last saw measurable rain on 29 June, when 4mm was recorded.
Since then there has only been a trace amount of rain.
A Guernsey Met Office spokesman said historically an official drought was declared when less than 0.1mm of rain fell over two weeks. That would mean Guernsey was in drought from yesterday, but the classification for drought has been dropped by the UK Met Office.
‘It’s certainly a dry spell though, with just 636.3mm of rain recorded in the 12 month period ending 30 June – that’s the lowest total for that period for 30 years,’ the spokesman said.
Guernsey would normally expect to have seen about 20mm of rain so far this month.
The temperatures have cooled in recent days, down from a high of 30C on Tuesday. But it is only a temporary reprieve.
‘The highest temperatures look to start on Saturday with a clearance to cooler, potentially more unsettled conditions later on Tuesday, with the hottest day likely to be Monday.
‘Low pressure off the west coast of Spain is helping drive this very warm air north, feeding in to an already warm flow from eastern Europe being drawn in by high pressure over the UK.
‘That high will drift east later in the weekend, continuing this very warm flow before thundery showers push up over France for Monday, and likely to arrive in the Channel later on Tuesday. Our winds will then veer in to the southwest or west, with a resultant drop in air temperatures.’
The very hot temperatures across southern France and Spain at the moment are expected to edge northwards into the UK for the start of the weekend, with temperatures set to reach 28C on Saturday, 32C on Sunday, 33C on Monday and 32C on Tuesday.
‘Overnight temperatures will drop to around 20C Saturday to Monday, then down to the mid-teens for Tuesday night,’ the spokesman said.
‘There will be a breeze, in from the east or northeast, moderate force 4, but it’s that wind that’s bringing in the hot air from the near continent so probably not helping that much.’
It is hoped some rain will be seen later next week.
‘It does look like less settled conditions for the second half of next week, but probably showers rather than any prolonged or steady periods of rain.’
Normally Guernsey would have seen more than 400mm so far this year. In fact there has been 265mm.
