Why is June so cold and when will it get warmer? | Science and technology news

June’s wet, gray weather doesn’t feel particularly summery, so what’s happening and, more importantly, will it get warmer?

Last month was the Hottest May on record in the UKas higher overnight temperatures and warm weather in Scotland have increased the temperature to around a degree above average.

But just over a week into June, the mercury dropped.

“It looks like we are one to three degrees below normal for this time of year,” said Professor David Schultz, Professor of Synoptic Meteorology at the University of Manchester he told Sky News.

The drop in temperature is due to a change in the jet stream, a core of strong winds about 6 to 11 kilometers above the Earth’s surface.

These winds impact the climate closer to the surface. Currently, the jet stream is further south than normal and is coming from the northwest.

Jet flow switch

“Normally in the UK we get the jet stream from the southwest,” Professor Schultz said.

“This brings moist, temperate air from the ocean to the UK.

“With a flow coming in from the northwest, we are expecting drier conditions, so we saw sunshine, but it also favors afternoon showers,” he said.

“That’s why there have been patches of sun and then rain over the last few days.

Common misconception

“If you’re trying to plan outdoor activities, it’s a little boring, but at least it’s not a period of constant rain,” Professor Schultz said.

Forecasters are not surprised by the rainy and stormy June.

“That’s not that unusual,” said Sky News meteorologist Christopher England.

“Temperatures have not been much below average, but frequent strong winds have made it feel colder,” he said.

“People always seem to think summer should be hotter than it actually is!”

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Professor Schultz added that as climate change has increased average temperatures, we notice it more when the weather gets colder.

“We may be complaining about a few degrees cooler than normal, but historically, this period may be closer to normal,” he said.

More of the same

As for when we can expect a warm June to arrive, don’t hold your breath.

The weekend “will continue to be a mix of sun and rain”, according to the Met Office.

Next week, “all areas can expect periods of drier, sunnier weather, but there will also be showers or longer periods of rain at times.”

“Expect cold, unsettled periods interspersed with warmer, drier conditions, probably pretty typical overall,” England said.