Weather Watch: Summer really is just round the corner

This weekend marks the meteorological end of spring and there are plenty of signs we’re moving into summer, even if the weather might not be living up to expectations at the moment.
Latest weather news with MetDesk in WendoverLatest weather news with MetDesk in Wendover
Latest weather news with MetDesk in Wendover

This weekend marks the meteorological end of spring and there are plenty of signs we’re moving into summer, even if the weather might not be living up to expectations at the moment.

Trees are in full leaf, plants are growing and flowering rapidly, and pollen levels are climbing.

The grass pollen season peaks over the next six weeks, so those who suffer from hay fever are likely to see symptoms worsen as we head into June.

With only three weeks until the Summer Solstice (June 21), day lengths are nearly at a maximum.

Here in Aylesbury Vale, there are now over 16 hours of daylight, while across the Northern Isles of Scotland, there are potentially over eighteen hours of sunshine per day.

Tied in with this, the Sun is also close to its “strongest” across the UK with the peak daytime UV index potentially climbing to seven on clear days across southern Britain over the next few weeks.

This means burn times for unprotected fair skin of less than 30 minutes.

Climatologically, it’s usually another couple of months before temperatures peak, with the hottest weather on average being seen in late July or early August.

This lag effect is particularly prominent in the UK, due to us being surrounded by sea.

Indeed for those heading for the coast this summer, take note, as sea temperatures often don’t reach their warmest and most tolerable until early September.

Here in Aylesbury Vale, the last few days of spring 2015 will be rather mixed.

A bright, warm afternoon today and then mainly dry tomorrow, but Friday and the weekend will see the chance of showery rain.

Brisk winds at times will keep temperatures pegged back too.