A welcome rain shower is expected to bring an end to the UK’s dry spell, but changeable weather is on the horizon. Temperatures will return to seasonal average after a period of unseasonably warm weather.
The UK is expected to experience changeable weather over the next few days, with rain continuing across the country after a dry spell. Temperatures will return to the seasonal average of 14C (57F) to 18C (64F), with sunny spells and showers alternating throughout the week.
A Relief from Drought
The ‘rain is welcome news for gardeners, who have been dealing with a prolonged period of drought.’ Rainfall figures for April have so far remained below the expected amount, with only 27.2mm recorded nationally, or 38% of the April average. This is significantly lower than the average rainfall figure for April, which is 71mm.
Weather Forecast
Tuesday is expected to start chilly, with dry and fine weather between isolated showers. However, a band of heavy rain and strong winds will move in from the west by Wednesday morning, affecting England and Wales, and pushing into Northern Ireland and southern Scotland. The rain will clear by the afternoon, allowing for sunny spells and showers on Wednesday.
Dry Spell Continues
The driest and brightest skies will be in the eastern parts of the country, while it will be wet and cloudy in parts of Wales, central southern England, and Northern Ireland. This dry spell has been exacerbated by one of the worst wildfire seasons on record, with fires burning across the UK.
Wildfires Across the Country
The ‘UK has experienced widespread wildfires due to the combination of drought and warmer-than-average temperatures in April.’ In Wales alone, over 1,300 grass fires have been reported this year, while a recent fire at Abergwesyn Common in Powys consumed an area roughly 400 times the size of Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.
The impact on wildlife has been significant, with fires scorching land used by small heath butterflies, rove beetles, skylarks, and peregrine falcons. In Northern Ireland, recent fires have damaged habitats used by these species. The National Trust reported that a fire at Howden Moor in the Peak District caused £30,000 worth of damage.
Wildfires are uncontrolled fires that occur in wildland areas.
They can be caused by lightning, human activity, or drought.
According to the National Interagency Coordination Center, wildfires burned over 10 million acres of land in the United States between 2010 and 2019.
The effects of wildfires include loss of property, wildlife habitat destruction, and air pollution.
Prevention methods include creating defensible spaces around homes, enforcing fire restrictions, and conducting prescribed burns.
Conclusion
The weather forecast for the UK is changeable, with rain continuing across the country after a dry spell. Temperatures will return to the seasonal average, and sunny spells and showers are expected throughout the week. However, the dry spell has had significant impacts on wildlife and habitats, highlighting the need for urgent action to address climate change and prevent further damage.
Climate change refers to the long-term warming of the planet, primarily caused by human activities that release greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane.
The burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes contribute to this phenomenon.
Rising global temperatures lead to more frequent natural disasters, sea-level rise, and altered ecosystems.
According to NASA, 2020 was the hottest year on record globally, with temperatures increasing by 1°C since the late 19th century.
- theguardian.com | Changeable weather across UK forecast after unusually warm, dry spell
