Will it ring true? April showers, May flowers

Have you ever wondered whether April showers really do bring May flowers?

The well-known phrase dates back to the 1600s and is thought to have originated in the UK and Ireland, where April is often a particularly wet month.

One reason for this is the jet stream shifting northwards during spring, allowing more unsettled weather to reach the British Isles. This encourages frequent low-pressure systems, which bring spells of rain.

At the same time, increasing daytime heating over land plays a role. As the sun grows stronger through spring, it helps trigger showers, even on days that start bright.

However, rainfall alone isn’t the key factor for blooming flowers. Temperature is far more important, and once conditions become mild enough, plants will begin to grow regardless of how wet April has been.

In fact, the UK’s cooler climate often delays flowering compared to warmer regions, while early warm spells—like a mild winter—can leave plants vulnerable. This year, the month has ended with warmth after the unsettled spell, so May should indeed bring a vibrant bloom.