Home
Weather London
WeatherRadar
RainfallRadar
TemperatureRadar
WindRadar
LightningRadar
Weather News
Editor's Pick
Discover the app
Weather widget
Contact us
Apps
Career
    Home / Editor's Pick /

    Feeling under pressure? Azores High making an impact

15:00
16 May 2023

Feeling under pressure?
Azores High making an impact

Air pressure map of Europe showing Azores High over the UK and Ireland
The UK and Ireland are currently feeling the effect of the Azores High.

The UK and Ireland are feeling the effects of the Azores High area of pressure currently sitting over the two countries.

High pressure is nothing new, but right now a very specific form is impacting our weather. The Azores High is a semi-permanent area of high pressure which typically rests over the Atlantic Ocean, named after the Azores Islands.

During summer, this high generally moves towards Bermuda, allowing warm air to push north and deliver warming temperatures to our shores. When it moves closer, it can suppress poor weather and redirect air flow.

With the high over us, the impact of the jet stream is lessened. In fact, right now we are seeing chillier temperatures because of the high's influence.

Air is being diverted north, around the pressure, towards colder climates before rushing back south bringing that chill with them.

Meanwhile, two low pressure systems currently affecting Scandinavia and Central Europe are being kept at bay. Resulting in largely clear but chilly days, particularly in the mornings.

High- and low-pressure areas have big impacts on our weather.

Air pressure refers to the force that the air is exerting on the ground. Within areas of high-pressure, air slowly sinks to the ground with air warming as it descends helping to suppress storms and showers.

See the impact of these systems for yourself with all weather conditions visible in our WeatherRadar.

Ryan Hathaway
More on the topic
How to sleep better in warmer weather. Tropical nights ahead. . . Tuesday, 23 June 2026
Person sitting on the floor indoors beside a running electric fan, cooling down in a sunlit room during hot weather, with sunlight streaming through a window.
Tuesday, 23 June 2026

Tropical nights ahead

How to sleep better in warmer weather
New record June temperature in the UK. Likely to be broken again. . . Thursday, 25 June 2026
Heat map of southern England on 24.06 showing extreme temperatures across Hampshire, with Gosport highlighted at 36.1°C and nearby Portsmouth around 35°C amid deep red heat zones.
Thursday, 25 June 2026

Likely to be broken again

New record June temperature in the UK
50 years since historic 1976 heatwave. Three-month hot spell. . . Tuesday, 23 June 2026
Black-and-white photograph from the 1976 UK heatwave showing a crowded outdoor swimming area packed with people bathing, wading, and sitting along the water's edge during extreme summer heat.
Tuesday, 23 June 2026

Three-month hot spell

50 years since historic 1976 heatwave
All weather news
This might also interest you
Bright and warm conditions take hold. Spring-like outlook. . . Thursday, 23 April 2026
Split UK map showing warm temperatures up to 21 degrees in orange on the left and clear sunny conditions with temperatures from 12 to 18 degrees on the right, with sun icons across the country.
Thursday, 23 April 2026

Spring-like outlook

Bright and warm conditions take hold
Turbulent weather in the Canary Islands. Storm and rain. . . Friday, 12 December 2025
Weather graphic showing rain and wind fields over the Canary Islands and a central warning symbol.
Friday, 12 December 2025

Storm and rain

Turbulent weather in the Canary Islands
Seasonal warmth between spring thunder. Your weather - Your shots. . . Sunday, 19 April 2026
Split image showing coastal sunset with layered lenticular clouds over rooftops and palm trees on the left, and a green valley with river and hills under soft daylight on the right.
Sunday, 19 April 2026

Your weather - Your shots

Seasonal warmth between spring thunder
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwittertikToklinkList