**Potential Hot Weather Approaching the UK After Storm Floris?**
August 2021 in the United Kingdom saw a unique weather pattern, characterised by a combination of warm and wet spells, but without the extreme heat or tropical storm influences that have been experienced in recent years.
Warm Spells in Southern and Eastern England
Southern and eastern England experienced some drier, warmer periods during August, with high pressure building and bringing conditions that were near or slightly above average temperature. In some areas, temperatures reached around 30°C early in the month [1]. However, these warm spells were not as intense as the multiple heatwaves seen in other years [3].
Northern and Western Regions: Cooler and Wetter
In contrast, the northern and western parts of the UK remained more unsettled. These regions experienced spells of rain and cooler temperatures under the influence of westerly winds and intermittent cloudiness [1][5].
No Extreme Weather Records Broken
Despite the shift in weather patterns, no specific weather records of extreme heat or drought were broken in August 2021. The overall temperatures were around average or slightly below compared to recent hot years [3].
The Impact of Ex-Tropical Storm Dexter
There is no direct reference connecting Ex-Tropical Storm Dexter, located in the western Atlantic near Bermuda, to the UK's August 2021 weather pattern. Therefore, it is likely that Dexter did not have a significant or documented impact on the weather in the UK during that time [4].
Predictions for the Rest of August
Predictions suggest that warmer spells could emerge throughout August, particularly affecting the southern and eastern regions of England. High pressure is expected to bring drier conditions across much of the UK, especially compared to the previous weeks. Weather models also indicate there could be further intervals of heat in the UK, with temperatures potentially exceeding 30 degrees Celsius in some areas [2].
However, the exact path of Dexter will determine the duration of the anticipated warmth and how close certain areas will come to heatwave thresholds. The anticipated change in weather patterns may result in a noticeable reduction in rainfall compared to the previous weeks.
In conclusion, August 2021 featured a fairly typical late-summer pattern for the UK, with a combination of wet and dry spells, mild to warm temperatures especially in the south and east, but without extreme heat or strong tropical storm influences [1][3][5].
Climate-change studies show that weather patterns in August 2021 were consistent with what would be expected in a changing environment, as the combination of warm and wet spells observed was not significantly different from recent years. In the realm of environmental-science, this suggests that the UK weather may be becoming more variable, with a decreasing likelihood of extreme heat or tropical storm influences.
