UK set for damp, cold Bank Holiday

Waves crash against the promenade in Marsden near the Souter Lighthouse as two weeks of wet, windy and cool weather is likely to signal the end of summer, forecasters have warned. PIC: PA

Forecasters said there is “not much to be optimistic about” as temperatures look set to remain below average with spells of rain throughout the rest of August.

After basking in a glorious heatwave for much of July, the curse of the typical British summer has struck again.

Temperatures today will reach about 20C (68F), three or four degrees lower than normal for August, and drop again tomorrow but winds blowing from the Arctic will make it feel even cooler.

Billy Payne, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, said: “The weather is certainly looking disappointing for the next couple of weeks.

“It’s going to be cool and rather unsettled - there’s not much to be optimistic about.

“The next few days will be showery and cold. Most showers will be in the North and West but some spreading south-eastwards.

“Temperatures in Scotland and the North will struggle to reach the teens but still might get to 20 in the South East.

“By the time we get to Thursday there will be longer spells of rain in the North, spreading south-westwards through Friday.”

The early forecast for the Bank Holiday spells cool and windy weather, with the odd shower, which will continue throughout next week.

It will not be welcome news for the organisers of Notting Hill Carnival, Europe’s biggest street carnival event, which will see hundreds of musicians and dancers join floats for a procession through the streets on west London on Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday.