Brighton weather: why has there been so much rain this spring?

While April enjoyed long hours of sunshine, it was the coldest on record since 1922, and May has been one of the wettest, with cooler than average temperatures.

Last week saw weather warnings in place as wind gusts of up to 60mph battered the south of England.

So why has the weather been so bad?

• READ MORE: Is there going to be a heatwave in Brighton?

According to the Met Office, it is all to do with the jet stream - a core of strong winds, about five to seven miles above the Earth’s surface, which blow from west to east.

Waves crashing at Brighton Marina on Friday as strong winds swept across the south of England

The jet stream affects things nearer the surface, such as areas of high and low pressure, and therefore helps shape the weather.

A Met Office spokeswoman said: "The reason it has been so cool and wet throughout May has been because the jet stream has been consistently to the south of the UK.

"This has meant we’re on the cool side of the jet stream and it has carried areas of low pressure our way, bringing showers and unsettled conditions.

"The south-shifted jet stream has been caused by higher than average pressure over Greenland, leaving us on the cold side of the jet, allowing low pressure systems to influence our weather.

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"However, there are signs of some drier and more settled weather towards the end of this week."

Thankfully, from tomorrow there will be more sunny spells in Brighton, with temperatures rising from 14C to 19C by Saturday.

Public toilets were blown over in the wind on Hove Lawns on Friday

The forecast for the bank holiday weekend states: "High pressure will be the largely dominant feature across the UK during this period.

"This will bring mainly fine and settled conditions, with temperatures recovering and feeling locally warm in southern and central areas.

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"However, there remains the possibility of some slight showers for some and the potential for a return of cloudier, wetter and cooler weather at times early next week, generally pushing in from northwest of the UK.

"Mostly dry conditions are likely to then continue (or return) through this period especially towards the south and east, but there remains the risk of some brief interludes of rain or showers, most likely affecting areas in the northwest and far south.

"Temperatures overall are likely to be close to average for the time of year."

Looking ahead to June, the Met Office said a heatwave is unlikely in Brighton and Sussex, with temperatures closer to, or just above average throughout the month.

A spokeswoman said: "This will of course feel warm compared to recent weeks.

"Of course, a short period of above average/warmer conditions can’t be ruled out as we head into the summer months, but if this does occur, at the moment it looks like it is unlikely to last for any sustained period of time, i.e. in order to reach 'heatwave' criteria."