Today is St Swithin's Day - and if you believe the legend we're in for a bad summer

As we approach what should be the height of summer, we could be in for a wet July and August - if we believe the legend of St Swithin's Day.
wet weatherwet weather
wet weather

According to legend, if it rains on July 15, then the wet weather will continue for 40 days and nights.

And with rain forecast for parts of the UK, including the North-West of England and Belfast, it could make for a wash-out holiday season for some.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The myth actually states that the weather on the feast day of the ninth century saint will continue for the 40-day period. So if that’s the case, then the west can expect a generally cloudy month or so. Meanwhile, the east coast will see brighter skies, if not the warmer, sunnier days forecast (by the Met Office, as opposed to long-dead soothsayers) for the south-east.

As for the next 40 days, it’s not exactly all gloomy skies. But it seems that the south-east’s sunny period will continue, with the Met Office predicting that these more settled conditions will move northwards as we head into August.

“The wettest conditions are always most likely in the northwest where it may be rather windy at times too,” a Met Office forecast read.

Into August, things, however, look more hopeful, with the prediction of “temperatures generally near or slightly below average in the north, whilst southern, and more especially southeastern parts could see some warm, or very warm temperatures at times.”

So could we see the St Swithin’s myth busted once and for all? All we can do is wait and see, And carry a brolly - just in case...