Londoners rejoiced at the arrival of heavy rain on Thursday morning, even as it pummelled commuters on their way to work. A thunderstorm warning is in place across parts of the capital as a downpour sweeps over London.
The rain comes after one of London’s driest summers on record. July passed without a single drop of meaningful rain recorded in the capital. Parks and green spaces were scorched by the blistering heat, turning from bright green to straw-coloured, and prompting a spate of wildfires as they became tinder-boxes. Millions were placed under hosepipe bans as gardens withered in the sunshine.
Relief for residents and gardens
Given the prolonged dry spell, Thursday morning’s downpour has come as a welcome reprieve for Londoners. One user on X exclaimed: “Finally, the rain!”, capturing the downpour from a London garden, while another user wrote: “Humid but so refreshing to be walking in the rain this morning.”
“Had a fair bit of much needed rain overnight as well. Been a while!,” the post read. Another user wrote: “After 3 months, it’s finally raining in London. My garden needed this!” Another wrote: “Awww… rain. I’m thriving.”
Not the first downpour this month
It is not the first downpour this month. There have been short showers across August and this week saw early morning rain on Wednesday. However, this is the first time in weeks that Londoners will need their umbrellas as they make their way into work.
The downpour has not been welcomed by everyone. Hundreds of cricket fans will be making their way to Lord’s Cricket Ground this morning as England play Pakistan in a second test match. Fans have expressed disappointment at the prospect of heavy rain forcing a draw. One wrote: “Bad news for cricket fans. It’s currently raining in London. Early lunch is likely to be taken.”
Forecast and warnings
The rain is expected to shower down on London until around 12pm, when the skies should clear, according to the Met Office. However, BBC Weather is forecasting wetter days ahead, with thunderstorms and heavy rain showers lasting until 5pm. The showers will also return overnight from 10pm on Thursday to 3am on Friday morning.
The Met Office has a yellow thunderstorm warning in place across parts of Greater London, including central London, north London, and south east London. Met Office Chief Forecaster Steve Willington said: “On Thursday, slow-moving heavy and thundery rain may bring prolonged rainfall to some areas, increasing the risk of localised impacts. There remains some uncertainty around where the heaviest rain will fall, so it is important to keep up to date with the latest forecast and warnings.”
