Spring has officially sprung as we are starting to experience brighter mornings, blooming flowers, and warmer weather. Or maybe not.

A yellow weather warning was in place yesterday as flash flooding swept the UK leading to some households being evacuated.

And the bad weather looks set to continue with showers expected across various regions this week.

It follows England and Wales experiencing their respective wettest Marches since 1981, with Northern Ireland also seeing one of its wettest Marches on record.

According to the Met Office, Wales had 206.5mm of rain, double its long-term average. In comparison, in England, 119.2mm of rain fell, which is more than double its long-term average, with 104% more rainfall than average.

Northern Ireland has seen 151.2mm of rainfall, which is 74% more than average.

With another bank holiday approaching after we’ve already enjoyed two this month, many will be hoping for the sun to make an appearance.

But why are we experiencing such cold and wet conditions in May? Metro.co.uk spoke to the Met Office.

Why is it so cold and wet in May?

A spokesperson from the Met Office has explained why we have had a ‘largely unsettled’ season of weather.

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‘High-pressure systems have been generally located over southern continental Europe and also to the far east of Europe’, they told Metro.co.uk.

The spokesperson continued: ‘As these high-pressure systems interacted through the season, the UK is positioned between them, leading to periods of cool, cloudy, and wet conditions for the UK.

‘These have generally either swept in from the Atlantic or slipped between the high-pressure systems to reach the UK.

‘Warmer-than-average sea temperatures also provided the necessary fuel for clouds to develop, which has been quite persistent in spring.’

It’s a far cry from last month, with three of the UK’s four nations recording their hottest days of the year so far on April 29.

The Met Office recorded highs of 20.2°C in England, 20°C in Northern Ireland, and 19.2°C in Wales on Bank Holiday Saturday.

Scotland, meanwhile, lagged behind with a high of just 12.9°C – despite holding the UK record for the hottest day so far in 2023, with a temperature of 21.2°C in Kinlochewe on April 17.

According to Current Results, across the UK, May temperatures average a daily high of 15°C and a low of 6°C.

What is the weather looking like moving forwards?

It looks like the wet and dreary weather is here to stay for the next few days, though the end is in sight.

The Met Office tweeted a forecast for the week ahead, saying: ‘Showers continuing over the next couple of days but a ridge of high pressure brings drier weather from Friday.

‘We’ll see a slight dip in temperatures this week but it will turn warmer for some into the weekend.’

Showers continuing over the next couple of days ⛈️ but a ridge of high pressure brings drier weather from Friday ⛅

We’ll see a slight dip in temperatures this week but it will turn warmer for some into the weekend 🌡️ pic.twitter.com/6aSjqDhU2D

Met Office meteorologist Clare Nasir said: ‘Showers over the next few days could be heavy with the risk of thunder and hail.’

She added that the risk of thunder and hail persist through Wednesday and Thursday.

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