Our summer so far has been very up and down, with a blazing hot heatwave in May, perfectly contrasted with a wet and grim start to June. Now though, as we approach the summer solstice on June 21, we truly will be worshipping the sun here in Manchester as temperatures are set to soar once again – and this time we’ll be prepared.
According to the Met Office, this overcast, slightly wet mugginess will be replaced by dry, sunny conditions by the weekend, hitting a truly summery 28°C come Monday 22 June. The forecast for the North West is as follows:
Thursday (18 June)
A mostly dry, bright and very warm day across the south of region. Further north will turn increasingly cloudy with some rain moving into Cumbria and perhaps parts of Lancashire. Maximum temperature 24 °C.
Outlook for Friday (19 June) to Sunday (21 June)
Further rain possible on Friday, especially in the north. Becoming drier and brighter this weekend, though still a few showers at first. Warm on Saturday and perhaps hot by Sunday.
What does the summer solstice celebrate?
The summer solstice happens on June 20, 21 or 22 (depending on the tilt of the Earth) every year, and marks the astronomical start of summer, and the longest day of the year. When the sun’s out, as it seems it will be, this feels even more poignant, as we can stay out right until the moment the sun goes down, likely to be 21:41 in Manchester.
The summer solstice actually refers to the exact mid point of the year, which is 9:24am on Sunday 21 June, but since the solstice falls on this date, we claim the entire day as the ‘summer solstice’.
Basically, since it’s going to be lovely and warm around the summer solstice, it’s a great excuse to get out and about this Sunday and enjoy our gorgeous canals, parks, beer gardens and endless activities going on in Manchester.
