Preparing for Summer Showers on The Road This Season
Learn all about summer showers and why it’s important to make sure you’re prepared for them.
- Unlike normal rain, summer showers come from cumulus clouds via the process of convection. They’re often shorter and more rapid, instead of prolonged.
- Summer 2023 was 11% wetter than average for the UK, according to the Met Office. Especially in Northern England and Northern Ireland.
- With more humid temperatures also come thunderstorms, which themselves can cause sudden downpours.
The recent weather hasn’t been what we expected – especially considering it’s now summer. So far, the UK has seen a mix of showers and unexpected downpours, along with the occasional mini heatwave.
Such unpredictable weather can make it hard to be prepared when heading out on the road. Read on to find out how you can be prepared whatever the weather throws at you this summer.
How common are summer showers?
Normally, you wouldn’t associate rain with summer – a season known for typically warmer, drier weather.
Though it can actually fall at any time of year, hence the term summer showers. According to the Met Office, the difference between these showers and normal rain is how they are formed.
Summer showers come from a different type of cloud, called a cumulus cloud, and are produced from the process of convection. Put simply, this is where particles rise suddenly from a liquid or gas.
This is different from normal rain, which usually comes from stratus clouds as part of a larger frontal system.
Low-pressure systems and weather fronts in the autumn and winter mean more wet and windy conditions. Meanwhile, in the summer, we’re likely to get these surprise showers that come and go.
Looking back to last summer
Summer 2023 was 11% wetter than average this time last year, according to the Met Office.
Regions in the north and southwest experienced twice the average rainfall. While Northern Ireland also experienced more rain than normal.
The 2023 climate review showed May was one of the warmest, driest months. Meanwhile, heavy thunderstorms caused nationwide flooding. We also saw 10 storms alone over six months towards the back end of the year.
Judging by this, and the fact that we’re predicted to have one of the wettest summers this year, we all need to be prepared!
Prepare your vehicle with new windscreen wipers
Unpredictable weather is one of the many reasons you should replace your wiper blades this summer. With sudden, unexpected downpours or summer showers, you don’t want to get caught off-guard with insufficient wiper blades. Especially when traveling further afield!
Even in good, dry conditions, you’ll notice more dirt, dust, and debris like bugs on your windscreen. That’s why, in addition to replacing your wipers, you’ll also want to top up your windscreen washer fluid.
Despite what you might think, replacing your windscreen wipers is easy. You can do it yourself in minutes and you’ll be ensuring maximum safety and visibility on the road whatever the weather.
Order your new replacement windscreen wipers
We hope you found this article useful and feel ready to take on the weather whatever it brings. Decided to replace your windscreen wipers? Great!
At Windscreen Wipers, we offer a range of wiper blades from BOSCH, MICHELIN, Valeo, Lucas, and more. We also offer these at competitive prices with regular savings - because quality doesn’t have to cost a fortune!
With our handy registration tool, you don’t need to worry about choosing the wrong wiper blades. Simply enter your reg and shop windscreen wipers that are 100% sure to fit your vehicle. Then, once you’ve ordered your new blades, check out our helpful fitting guide videos to help you fit them.
Enter your registration below to get started or contact our friendly team if you have any questions and we’ll be in touch.