According to BBC London, large parts of the UK are being severely affected by extreme weather conditions, particularly southern and central England and Wales. Rain is falling at up to 18mm (0.7in) an hour and some areas could see levels reach 100mm (3.9in) in 24 hours. The London Fire Brigade say that they have received 'hundreds' of calls reporting flooding incidents.

With only 17 days to go to the London 2012 Games, the Environment Agency has already issued two flood warnings, and the Met Office has issued severe weather warnings for England and Wales, saying the washout will continue into August. A spokesman said: “A protracted spell of hot, sunny weather looks very unlikely.”

With London setting a record for the wettest June on record and July already off to a wet start, the question on everyone’s lips is, ‘Will the rains spoil the London 2012 Games’.

While severe weather conditions may cause flight delays and transport chaos, except for track and field, many of the actual Olympic events will not be impacted by the rain. Swimming, diving, basketball and gymnastics all compete indoors. But where does that leave spectators and overseas guests, some of who have traveled halfway across the world to attend the 2012 Games. 

According to Victoria Ugarte, travel writer and author of A Foodie & Fashionista’s Guide To London, while the average daily high temperature in July and August is around 24°C (75°F), London weather conditions have always been highly changeable and hard to predict.  

You can get a week of continuous rain or, just as likely, a week of glorious sunshine over the Summer. Evening thunderstorms and short heavy downpours are a common occurrence in the late Summer.

In addition, London has a microclimate that is known as an “urban heat island”. Caused by the mass of heated buildings and people concentrated in one relatively small area, it results in temperatures changes that are a couple of degrees warmer than outside of the city.

Victoria says, “With weather patterns varying greatly from year to year, season to season, even moment to moment, the key to surviving severe weather conditions and enjoying the London 2012 Games is to come prepared for all eventualities.”  

Victoria offers more quick packing tips for London 2012:

• Pack a waterproof trench coat or rain coat that will protect you from the wind and rain.

• Always carry an umbrella with you. If it’s the fold-up variety, make sure it’s a good quality one that will not flip inside out in heavy wind.

• Carry a crushable hat and sunglasses should the weather clear up. 

• Wear waterproof footwear with good treads for those slippery footpaths and muddy fields. Running shoes and trainers are not a good idea as they will get wet and soggy, as are open-toed shoes.

• Pack clothing that you can layer on and peel off easily as the temperature fluctuates.

• Leave your shorts at home, whether the weather is good or not. Unlike Aussies and Americans, the British don’t wear shorts.

Victoria adds a final word, “Yes, it rains in London. Deal with it! It need not ruin your London Olympic experience. Remember that most people couldn’t start a conversation if the weather didn’t change occasionally.”

Victoria offers her readers a Free eBook, entitled “How To Enrich Your Life Through Travel”, for positive, practical advice and tantalizing travel ideas linked with inspirations for personal growth.