Showery weather has made it a cruel summer so far for those in search of sunshine
The much-anticipated arrival of summer weather in Northern Ireland has so far been met with widespread disappointment.
Colder and cloudier than normal conditions in June have continued into July, with temperatures remaining below average for this time of year.
Unsettled and showery weather has dampened spirits across the country, leading many to vent their frustration on social media.
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Why is this happening?
Paul Williams
Rain-soaked Armagh apples pictured by BBC Weather watcher Paul Williams
The culprit behind this disappointing weather is the jet stream and its position relative to Ireland and the UK.
Towards the end of June, the jet stream briefly moved north, allowing a short spell of warmth to grace the region.
Temperatures even reached 26C in Castlederg in County Tyrone on 24 June – a fleeting glimpse of summer.
However, this warmth was short-lived.
The jet stream soon shifted south again, ushering in colder and more unsettled weather from the north.
Tourism businesses losing trade
BBC Weather Watcher Karenann
BBC Weather watcher Karenann snapped cloudy skies above Ballintoy Harbour
The poor weather has dealt a blow to businesses, particularly those reliant on summer tourism.
An outdoor pursuits company on the north coast estimates a loss of up to 70% in trade so far this summer.
“We spend all winter waiting on better weather to bring tourists, but the people are just not coming this year,” Mark Connolly from Atlantic Kayaks and Leisure told BBC News NI.
“We are fully stocked with shorts and t-shirts, but the only thing we are selling is our winter clothing range.
“We probably have three to four months of the year to make our money, and if we don’t get the trade, our year is wiped out.
“If we get a few good weeks of weather at some point this summer, we might be able to salvage things.”
Several summer festivals and outdoor events have also been affected by what has seemed like relentless rain.
Even country music star Shania Twain described the rain at her June concert in Belfast as “crazy weather”.
Hope on the horizon?
BBC Weather Watcher Helen M
Surfers headed for the beach as temperatures reached 23C in Portrush on 23 June
Poor weather affecting summer plans is not completely unusual in Northern Ireland.
In fact, July 2023 was the wettest on record for the region.
Despite the gloomy start, we can still hope that the latter part of the summer will bring more favourable conditions.
Meteorological summer runs through June, July, and August, so there is still time before summer 2024 can be completely written off.
All eyes are now on the skies, eagerly awaiting the return of the summer sunshine that everyone hopes will finally break through the clouds.
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