St Swithin’s Day Downpours Signal Wet Summer Ahead for UK, Proverb Predicts

Heavy rain and potential thunderstorms are in the forecast for certain parts of the United Kingdom on Monday, setting a gloomy tone for the upcoming summer season as per the age-old legend of St Swithin’s Day.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for rainfall between 8am and 11.59pm on Monday, anticipating downpours of up to 40mm over a span of a few hours. Regions covered by this warning include Wales and sections of western England, encompassing cities like Cardiff, Liverpool, and Exeter.

According to the folklore surrounding St Swithin’s Day, the prevailing weather on the 15th of July will persist for the subsequent 40 days. This belief suggests that if it rains on St Swithin’s Day, a wet period of 40 days will ensue. Conversely, fair weather on the same day indicates a rain-free spell for the following 40 days.

The Met Office has cautioned of potential “torrential downpours,” with predictions of 15-20mm of rainfall occurring in under an hour in certain areas, and 30-40mm within three hours in others. Lightning strikes are also anticipated throughout the day.

There is a slight probability of homes experiencing flooding, power outages, and risks of fast-flowing or deep water posing hazards to life. The combination of road spray and flooding might lead to challenging driving conditions, as well as road closures in affected regions.

Furthermore, disruptions to train and bus services are likely, with potential delays or cancellations in the specified areas due to the heavy rainfall. The downpours are expected to advance northwards across the impacted region as the day progresses.