So, the opening ceremony remained dry, and Saturday was none to shabby but the competitors in the womens cycle race on Sunday had some appalling conditions to contend with. Torrential rain and thunderstorms affected many parts of the course.

Looking ahead, this unsettled spell of weather looks set to continue through most of this week so there could well be disruption to the Olympic programme. I expect temperatures to remain on the cool side throughout the week, and the ingredients are in place for some heavy rainfall to occur. Tuesday and Thursday in particular could deliver some unwelcome downpours.

Moley

Scrub that bit about temperatures remaining on the cool side throughout the week. Despite Low Pressure it seems that here in London and the South East we may well end up drawing in some warm airmass from the near continent as the week progresses. Mid 20's C ( 73-75f ) seem a possibility now.

Moley

Good morning all, and my apologies for not posting for some time. A combination of night shifts, hospital appointments and trying to watch the Olympics in between snatching some sleep proved too be a step too far !!

The next few days are showing increasing signs of some interesting weather developments. The Low Pressure area currently to the South West of the UK has been compared to the Low Pressure system which wreaked havoc on the 1979 Fastnet yacht race :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1979_Fastnet_race

The synoptics are eerily similar to that event in all respects. The depth of the Low Pressure and the projected track are almost identical. Its certainly something to keep a close watch on, especially if you are planning to be down in the West Country in the next few days.

Today ( Wednesday ) is forming a messy pattern as this system heads our way, and its proving impossible to predict what will happen in the next 24-48 hours. What does seem likely though is that this system will draw in some very warm and moist air as we approach the weekend. I expect temperatures to rise, and along with the humidity it will feel quite uncomfortable for the next few days in London and the South East. When my shift ends on Friday morning Im heading straight down to my friends on the South Coast to enjoy what I hope will be a warm and sunny weekend, tempered by cooling sea breezes.

Inland temperatures may well reach 30-32 ( 86-90f ) by the end of the weekend, but its the potential for storms and heavy rainfall I am trying to keep an eye on.

Whatever the weather, thanks for reading.

Moley

Just a quick update to my post above:

As the first front from the Low Pressure system crossed the UK this afternoon it spawned a classic 'squall line' which was clearly visible on radar.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squall_line

Also known as a 'LEWP' ( Line Echo Wave Pattern ), this front stretched from just north of London to Northern Ireland, and produced some intense rainfall and a fair few thunderstorms as it passed through. While we missed most of the action here in the South East, Heathrow recorded wind gusts of 31mph with a temperature of 22.8c ( 73f ) earlier this afternoon.

That was a warm front and a cold front is following on behind it, but drawing up some very warm and unstable air from our south. Its potentially an explosive mix of atmospheric conditions. The next 24-48 hours are unpredictable, but I am still confident of a mostly warm and sunny weekend for much of London and the South East.

Moley

Listening to the car radio on the way home yesterday I was being told of blocked/flooded roads from Northampton to the Wirral.

Apparently Reading got a soaking but Woking got virtually nothing.

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Lets be careful out there !

^^ That pretty much coincides with all the reports Ive read Kremm.

The radars were showing some very heavy rainfall in the Reading area as the squall line passed through. This has been confirmed by a number of weather watchers in that region. The outer band of the front just clipped me here in Northwood, delivering a few drops of rain.

The next few days look very interesting weather wise, and I will be keeping a close eye on things whilst staying with my friends on the South Coast. Packing my shorts in the hope of taking a dip in the briney. Sea temperatures are reaching their peak at this time of year !!

Thanks for reading and posting. Moley

Just looking at the met office graphics and it looks like Wales is in for another 'serious' soaking later

update: looks like it veering eastbound towards Worcester

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Lets be careful out there !

They reckon yesterday was the hottest day of the year !

Not according to my Max Min jobby at the end of the garden (in the shade).

I know it's not very accurate, i Know it under reads, but using the temps relatively, last month it recorded a high of 30.2°C but yesterday it only got to 29.3°C

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Lets be careful out there !

.

Well although Im hampered by my computer completely crashing on me I think the hotspots yesterday were in Suffolk. Some interesting developments currently in The English Channel. Thunder reported from the Isle of Wight in the last half hour, and it seems some lively weather could be heading towards The South East as the afternoon and evening and evening wear on.

Not a particularly good time for most of my weather applications to fail me

Moley

Some fairly widespread elevated thunderstorms were reported across the South East earlier today ( Sunday ), as imports from France headed across the Channel.

Very little in the way of rainfall though as most of it evaporated before it could reach the ground. Its that warm and sultry !!

Im still battling with a broken PC, so reports will be few and far between, but thanks for reading and posting, and enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Moley