St Swithin's day was dry (but guess what – it won't last)

It is said that if St Swithin's day is dry then the rain will hold off for the next 40 days. But if you're looking for good omens, this year your luck is out.

The torrential downpours that have swept Britain throughout July will hold off today for much of the country. But rather that 40 days of sun following a dry St Swithin's Day (which was yesterday, in case you weren't aware), forecasters have predicted that the downpours will be back again by the middle of the week.

"The lack of rain should give the water levels a chance to reduce and there will be the occasional sunny spells," forecaster Brendan Jones said. Temperatures are expected to rise again tomorrow, but the rain will return in the north on Wednesday.