Sunshine, thunderstorms and hail: Britain braced for weather lottery
Friday 15 June 2012
Related articles
Britain is bracing itself for days of weather more barmy than balmy as sunshine, thunderstorms and even hail downpours arrive.
After a few dry days' respite this week, Britons will need to pack their umbrellas with them - but also their sunglasses as unpredictable sun spells are broken up with dark clouds, torrential rains and storms across the nation.
"We British should be used to it by now," said Brendan Jones, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, the Press Association's weather division.
"And there could be some hail too and quite frequent lightning and thunder."
And the unpleasant weather is expected to continue on Saturday.
It is possible the south eastern corner might miss some of the heavy downpours but parts of England and Wales were warned to be ready for more flooding today.
The unseasonal conditions are being caused by low pressure over Ireland which has winds swirling round it, sending gusts of up to 50mph across the UK.
Mr Jones described claims the storms could be Britain's worst in 50 years as "clearly over the top" and "nonsense".
He said: "The storm coming up is no worse than the winds last week.
"And in terms of wind they will not be as severe."
The Met Office also issued a new warning of wet and windy weather with periods of persistent heavy rain for parts of Wales and south-western England until Saturday.
The Environment Agency urged people in the South West and most of Wales to remain vigilant and prepared for flooding.
There are concerns the rain could lead to surface water flooding particularly in upland areas and places already at risk of floods after heavy rain earlier this week.
The Environment Agency has issued two flood warnings for rivers, where flooding is expected, and 26 less serious flood alerts.
The government agency has also issued direct flood alerts to more than 32,500 properties this week.
Pumping equipment was deployed in several areas in West Sussex to pump out water following flooding earlier in the week.
The Environment Agency said river levels across the South East were being monitored closely amid forecasts of more wet weather, with potentially up to 20mm of rainfall today and into the weekend.
In preparation, teams were out closing flood gates, operating flood storage areas, clearing debris from known hotspots and warning local communities about the possibility of flooding.
PA
-
Pope Francis: Being an atheist is alright as long as you do good
-
That's some guestlist! Stunning images show huge dynastic wedding between Ultra-Orthodox Jewish families which attracted 25,000 guests
-
Man and woman arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder victim of Woolwich machete attack, named as Drummer Lee Rigby
-
'Sickening, deluded and unforgivable': Horrific attack brings terror to London’s streets
-
Exclusive: Suspect was inspired by cleric banned from UK after urging followers to behead enemies of Islam
- 1 Pope Francis: Being an atheist is alright as long as you do good
- 2 Man and woman arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder victim of Woolwich machete attack, named as Drummer Lee Rigby
- 3 'Sickening, deluded and unforgivable': Horrific attack brings terror to London’s streets
- 4 Archaeologists uncover nearly 5,000 cave paintings in Burgos, Mexico
- 5 Woolwich attack: The EDL will seek to exploit this evil crime for their own evil ends
Get your summer started with British Military Fitness
BMF is the UK’s biggest and best loved outdoor fitness classes
Visit York
Find out what The Independent's resident travel expert has to say about one of the most beautiful small cities in the world
Making reading fun for kids
Nook is donating eReaders to volunteers at high-need schools and participating in exclusive events throughout the campaign.
Introducing the 'Get Reading' campaign
Get the latest on The Evening Standard's campaign to get London's children reading.
Enter the latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Business videos from commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
Independent Dating
Day In a Page
The man who's eaten everywhere
A Berliner in 1963 – but did John F Kennedy once admire Adolf Hitler?
Banned Iranian director to attend Cannes Film Festival
The 10 Best salt and pepper sets
Ferran Soriano: Predicting success if Manchester City 'vision' is followed
Edward VIII’s phone calls - and how MI5 bugged them






Comments