Now for the deluge! Six hour storm set to dump a month’s rain across Britain today – but (surprise!) it won’t lift the hosepipe ban
- A yellow warning for thunderstorms has been issued across England and Wales
- There is a flood risk because the deluge will run off dry surfaces at a rapid rate
A six hour storm is expected to dump a month’s rain on parts of Britain today – but won’t lift the threat of hosepipe bans.
Experts say the ground is so dry in the hottest start to June since 1976, today’s deluge won’t be enough to replenish water supplies and 1.3 million will still face hosepipe bans in South East England.
Half today’s torrent is expected to fall in just an hour, prompting warnings of flash flooding and danger for drivers.
A yellow warning for thunderstorms this afternoon and evening was issued across England and Wales, with temperatures remaining at 28C (82F). Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna said: ‘The average rainfall for the UK in June is 77mm and for England it is just 65mm.
‘But it is possible that 60mm could fall in six hours, which is not far from a month’s worth of rain. And we could even see 30mm in one hour, which is the equivalent to a couple of weeks.’
How London’s Millennium Bridge could look today: People with umbrellas walking in the rain last August
WEYMOUTH: Holidaymakers in the sun on Weymouth beach in Dorset on Saturday
NOTTINGHAM: A general view of Centre Court as the rain falls during the Rothesay Open, Day Six
A yellow warning for thunderstorms this afternoon and evening was issued across England and Wales
He said there was a flood risk because the deluge will run off dry surfaces at a rapid rate, rather than soak into the ground.
Just 9mm of rain fell in the first two weeks of this month, the hottest start to June since the heatwave summer of 1976.
Many parts of Britain met the threshold for a heatwave last week and the above-average temperatures are expected to continue into next week, despite the unsettled conditions. Mr Petagna added: ‘Further thunderstorms could be seen on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and it is possible that further warnings could be issued.’
Temperatures have been more than 10C above average in recent days. Despite threats of hail and lightning, maximum temperatures are expected to be between 27C and 29C going into next week.
The deluge follows a month of fairly dry weather, with England seeing 65 per cent of its average rainfall in May. The Environment Agency urged people to check its website for flood warnings throughout today.
A stunning lightning strike hitting the sea at Freshwater Bay on the Isle of Wight
ISLE OF WIGHT: Crowds enjoyed the sun at the Isle of Wight festival on Saturday
The Met Office also warned that hay fever sufferers have a long weekend ahead, with pollen levels being high or very high across much of the UK over the weekend
Sarah Cook, the agency’s national flood duty manager, said: ‘On Sunday afternoon and into the night, slow-moving heavy showers and thunderstorms could lead to localised surface water flooding across England.
‘Environment Agency teams are out on the ground and will support local authorities in responding to surface water flooding.
‘We urge people not to drive though flood water – it is often deeper than it looks and just 30 centimetres of flowing water is enough to float your car.
ISLE OF WIGHT: Revellers made sure to get plenty of rest in the heat at the Isle of Wight Festival today
DORSET: Kayakers paddled out to sea on Saturday morning on a Dorset beach ahead of expected rain and thunderstorms this weekend
WINDSOR: Rubber ducks on board a barge moored on the River Thames in Eton
WINDSOR: It was an overcast but hot afternoon in Eton on Saturday as visitors and locals were out and about
BIRMINGHAM: Rain covers on the pitch before day two first Ashes test match at Edgbaston on Saturday
‘People should check their flood risk, sign up for free flood warnings and keep up to date with the latest flood updates.’
The Met Office’s three month outlook predicts there is a 45 per cent chance that this summer will be hot – 2.3 times higher than the normal chance.
Met Office spokesman Oli Claydon said: ‘The long-range forecast suggests that there is a good chance of it being an above average summer when it comes to temperatures.
‘An area of high pressure has been dominating for quite a while and so temperatures have remained elevated.’
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