Met Office issues thunderstorm weather warning after heatwave scorches Britain
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Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Weather maps show exactly when UK temperatures to plummet to a bitter 4C
After enduring four heatwaves so far this year and 30C+ weather, the UK's hot, dry spell will soon be replaced by a cold snap - with forecasters predicting temperatures to plunge to 4C Britain's scorching summer is about to take a sharp turn - with forecasters warning parts of the country could plunge to a wintry 4C before the month is out. After enduring four heatwaves so far this year, with thermometers topping 30C and drought declarations leaving hosepipe bans in force, the UK's hot, dry spell will soon be replaced by a cold snap that could have residents reaching for their coats. Weather maps from WXCharts predict the chill will kick in on Thursday, August 21. In the early hours - around 6am - temperatures could sink to 4C in parts of Cumbria, Durham, and across swathes of northern Scotland, with the mercury with the mercury struggling to climb beyond the low teens for most of the day. READ MORE: 'Traumatised' family stranded at Palma Airport after being told they can't board Jet2 flight Even by midday, some Scottish regions may remain at just 4C, with much of England stuck at 7C. London is set to be the warmest spot, but temperatures there will barely scrape 12C, according to WXCharts' data. By evening, highs of only 16C are expected across England and Wales, and the cool conditions are set to linger for several days. The Met Office has warned that low pressure will likely replace the high pressure, which will lead to "an increasing possibility of stronger winds and rain, some of which could be heavy and thundery, especially for southern and western areas, but this perhaps becoming more widespread with time". The forecast for the end of August into the beginning of September reads: "Overall, unsettled conditions with showers or longer spells of rain are expected to be most prevalent. Some heavy and thundery rain is possible at times with a risk of strong winds. Interspersed with this are likely to be some transient periods of drier and more settled weather." For now, the Met Office says areas across the north will welcome patchy clould with some light rain, and the odd shower in Scotland. In England and Wales, it will stay bright and sunny today - with London, Bristol, Swindon and the Cotswolds enjoying highs of 29C. The latest forecast follows a scorching heatwave during which temperatures exceeded 33C. The mercury peaked in Leeds, West Yorkshire, on Wednesday and in Ross-on-Wye in Herefordshire on Tuesday. But the heatwave has caused a water shortfall situation in England - described as a "nationally significant incident" - with five areas officially in drought ahead of an amber heat health alert coming into force for large parts of the country. The government has warned that conditions could last until mid-Autumn with six further areas experiencing prolonged dry weather following the driest six months to July since 1976.
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Beccles, Peterborough and Whittlesey venues get summer boost
With much of the UK experiencing heatwaves, many of us are looking for ways to keep the mercury rises, some are taking the plunge and packed lidos are seeing the benefits - along with pubs and cafes offering a cooling drink beneath a shady out of ten of the UK's hottest ever days were recorded at locations in eastern businesses in the region have been explaining how having fun in the sun - safely - is giving takings a welcome boost. Matt Day, general manager at Beccles Lido in Suffolk, said two of the biggest threats to the success of the outdoor pool were energy costs and weather that does not encourage the crowds to come out and splash about."This year the weather's been very kind to us - we've got some glorious weather and lots of people here having fun," he said."We've got so many more people coming this year than at this time last year and things are looking a lot better for us." Last year, they were forced to consider losing staff and closing over the winter, but with the warm weather and a new lower energy contract, things are looking very good again, said Mr Day."It's absolutely flipped - and the more people that come, the better we'll look for the long-term."He admitted the weather was "out of our control" and weeks of forecast rain made staff "just put our head in our hands"."But then you get a weather forecast that we've got for the next couple of weeks and we're cheering and shouting from the rooftops to get people in here."The income was important, he said, as grants to help the facility keep going and make improvements often needed to be "match-funded" by the lido."We're happy to ride the highs and the lows to keep it going for everybody," he added. Karen Perks, a director of The Shed Tap Room and Deli, in Peterborough, is in her first year running the business, but having managed other pub venues, she said: "We definitely see an uplift with the sun."We're never guaranteed a good summer in England... but I think, when it is here, [people] just make the most of it."Warm weather "massively" increased footfall, she said."You can see it on their faces that they're just having a great time and that's why they'll be here for two or three hours rather than just coming for a quick pint."You just pray it's going to be a good summer and this year, it's been a good one," she added. Tim Forster, director of Fenland Aqua Park in Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire, was all in favour of the warmer weather."It's increasing our business drastically. The weather's bringing people out in droves - they're loving it," he said."We're doing 350 people a day and we hope the weather continues like this." He said he had seen a marked difference to this time last year. "We always like to say the kids are getting wet anyway, so it doesn't matter, but spectators love sitting around in the sunshine watching... so it definitely affects our business. "If the weather wasn't as good our numbers might be down to about a third of what we're doing now." And the increased footfall was important, he said."The equipment's expensive and we've only got a short season to make money so we've got to make hay while the sun shines - and make the most of it."More sunshine - more jobs - larger profit," he added. Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Hatfield Forest butterflies boosted by grass cutting delay
A forest has seen its highest butterfly population in 17 years after delaying the cutting of its grass and wildflowers until later in the comes a year after the wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation declared a national "butterfly emergency", with numbers at a record Forest in Takeley, Essex, was once owned by King Harold II in the 11th Century, but now belongs to the National manager James Rowland said grass and wildflowers were normally cut back in June, but "by delaying as long as possible, to late July into August, we're allowing flowering species to remain in flower for longer, providing greater benefit to nectar-reliant species". After defeat at the Battle of Hastings in 1066, ownership of the forest passed from King Harold to then became a royal hunting forest under Henry I's reign in about the National Trust describes Hatfield Forest as the "most complete example" of a medieval royal hunting Conservation has previously said the butterfly population was a good indicator of environmental hot and dry spring has been a helpful factor in population success, but the charity says the changes in its landscape management have made the biggest impact. Mr Rowland continued: "Grassland management is an important part of how we manage the landscape."Two years ago we decided to make a small change to managing this habitat and since then we've seen numbers soar."As our summers get hotter and drought-like conditions become more common, it's more crucial than ever to sustain a nectar source for our pollinators."During a peak dry spell, many grassland species quickly start to decline and our hardiest species like thistle and ragwort can be a lifeline to many invertebrates."The trust also uses cattle to stop the overgrowth of more dominant plants and break up compacted soil, allowing grass and wildflowers to grow through. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
