WET and blustery weather continues to tarnish the summer holidays for most of the UK and once again Berkshire is facing a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms today.

Storm Betty is on the way with the Met Office predicting that thunderstorms will hit Berkshire and most of the South East from 8pm through to 5am tomorrow (August 19) morning.

It comes amidst soaring temperatures across the Mediterranean, yet the recent UK summer months have been tarnished by a persistent deluge of wind and rain.

We took a deep dive into why the weather has been so hit-and-miss this summer, with help from Reading University's Meteorology department.

Meteorologists at the University of Reading typically anticipate an average of 49mm of rainfall throughout an average July, however, this year residents have had to contend with a staggering 92.3mm. Similar conditions have continued into August with heavy showers and two storms already bringing with them rain, wind, and thunderstorms.

Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge provides an explanation as to why such dismal weather has plagued Reading and the wider UK.

He said this seemingly abnormal weather can be attributed to the position of the jet stream - a core of strong winds around five to seven miles above the Earth’s surface blowing from west to east.

Adding: "In the summer, the jet stream is usually well to the north, allowing warmer conditions to develop across the UK.

"However, this year the jet stream has become lodged much further south. This is driving unsettled conditions and low-pressure systems towards the UK."

Mr Madge emphasised that there is still a great deal of research being conducted to further understand the intricate dynamics which influence the jet stream’s movements.

The newspaper also spoke to Dr Rob Thompson from the University of Reading to provide further insight into this bout of questionable summertime weather.

The professor explained how recent events are, in fact, quite normal and that fluctuations are typical during the summer months which often have spells of both dry and wet weather.

Dr Thompson also pointed out that earlier this year the country had a record dry February and that the weather since has been within the range of expectations, albeit on the more intense side.

As a result of climate change, Dr Thompson also warned that when wet and windy spells do occur, we should expect them to be “wetter and windier’ and overall ‘more extreme’ as a result.

For those desperate to enjoy some time outside can find solace this weekend as rain is expected to hold off for the majority of the weekend with temperatures across Berkshire expected to hit highs of 22C on Saturday and 23C on Sunday, according to Met Office data.

As of yet, forecasters have said it is too difficult to say whether Reading is on track for its wettest August on record.