Scotland ‘in front line of climate change' as temperature soars
River levels are causing concern in Scotland as the unseasonably warm and dry weather continues. Tuesday is likely to be hotter in the west Highlands than in Morocco, with the BBC predicting that the temperature will reach 25C, a degree higher than Marrakesh, the African country's fourth-largest city.
Visitors to the Cairngorms National Park, near Aviemore, were warned not to have barbecues after an 'extreme' warning for wildfires was extended across mainland Scotland.
So far this month the country has had only 2.9mm of rain, which is only 3 per cent of the total expected for all of a typical May. The driest recorded May in Scotland was in 1859, when 9.6mm of rain fell.
Parts of the country are beginning to show signs of
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The Independent
11 hours ago
- The Independent
Wildfires force another 1,000 residents from their homes in the Canadian province of Manitoba
Wildfires forced another 1,000 people to flee their homes in Manitoba, one of two Canadian provinces under a state of emergency that has led to thousands of evacuations. Smoke from Canadian wildfires has worsened air quality in eastern Canada and the U.S. The fires have forced thousands of Canadians to flee their homes and sent smoke as far as Europe. The town of Snow Lake, Manitoba issued a mandatory evacuation order for its residents Friday as a large wildfire threatens the area. That fire, which has now grown to more than 3,000 square kilometers (1,058 square miles), has already forced out all 5,000 residents of the city of nearby Flin Flon and a thousand more in surrounding cottages and homes. When the Snow Lake evacuees are added in, Manitoba has about 19,000 displaced from their homes. There are 27 total fires in the province of Manitoba, eight of them out of control. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said evacuees have found a place to stay with friends or family, in hotels or in congregate shelters. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, premier of the neighboring province, said two people were charged with setting wildfires. He said one of them was charged in relation to a fire around La Ronge, Saskatchewan, which has forced 7,000 people to flee their homes. There are 24 active wildfires burning in the province of Saskatchewan, forcing between 10,000 and 15,000 people from their homes. 'Many if not virtually all of the fires that we're dealing with in Saskatchewan, although not intentionally, are human caused. Some of those have been intentionally human caused,' Moe said. The province is also under a state of emergency, making it easier for different levels of government to coordinate a response. Moe said they are in daily contact with the federal government but have not yet asked for the military to help airlift out evacuees as they have so far been able to get them out by road. He said the Red Cross is also working to set up congregate shelters for evacuees in Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert. Canada's wildfire season runs from May through September. Its worst-ever wildfire season was in 2023. It choked much of North America with dangerous smoke for months.
Edinburgh Live
19 hours ago
- Edinburgh Live
Vernon Kay urges BBC colleagues not to call HR after cheeky remark leaves them stunned
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Vernon Kay has pleaded with his BBC Radio 2 colleagues not to contact HR after making an "awkward" comment about the weather. The UK was basking in glorious sunshine last month, with the the Environment Agency even declaring drought status for the north-west of England following the driest start to spring in 69 years. However, the weather has turned for most of the country since the beginning of June, with the Met Office warning that a large area of the UK is set to be struck by fierce thunderstorms on Saturday, according to the Mirror. The recent wet weather has not gone unnoticed by Radio 2 host Vernon, who told his BBC colleague Scott Mills that he had an unfortunate moment while discussing the rain with the production team. (Image: Instagram) He said: "We were talking about the age gap between us on-air and the production team. Had a bit of an awkward moment this morning. You know the weather's turned, it's raining outside. I said to the Radio 2 team, a lot of desks on your left hand side, 'Hi team, morning news team, ooo the weather's changed. "And someone said 'Yeah it's horrible'. So I said 'Outside it's raining but inside it's wet', East 17. Didn't go down very well. I'm like 'Before you get onto HR, it's East 17." The lyrics in question come from the title song of East 17's second studio album 'Steam', which was released in the UK on October 17, 1994 by London Records. The album was certified 2× Platinum in the UK. However, with the song being released over 30 years ago, it seems that many of the BBC's production staff were unaware of the lyrics, before Scott came up with an idea. (Image: Getty Images for Great British Racing) Scott said: "Well, you should have checked it by me first and then gone to the office, do it the other way round next time. Come and check with me the phrase before you say it to the whole office." Last week, Vernon admitted to listeners that he was feeling a 'bit ropey' after enjoying BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend. During the show, the 51-year-old confessed that he suffers from a seafood allergy. It means Vernon is unable to eat prawns or cockles - a type of small edible shellfish. He says he discovered the allergy after undergoing a test. Vernon said: 'Radio 1, how are you feeling? A bit ropey, no, honestly, terrible, I'm sure I've eaten a prawn or a cockle. I'm allergic to cockles."
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
UK weather: Hail, thunderstorms and strong winds to batter Britain with 50mm of rain in just two hours this weekend
BRITS are bracing for a stormy weekend washout with hail, thunderstorms and strong winds on the cards. Downpours could see 50mm of rain in just two hours on Saturday as June continues to be dominated by low pressure, meaning unsettled weather. 3 3 3 Met Office data shows England had 32.8mm of rain last month, almost half the month's usual average. They have forecast heavier and more frequent showers on Saturday, with hail and thunder possible and some unseasonably strong winds in coastal areas. There could also be a risk of surface-water flooding. From June 1 to June 3 there has already been 10.7mm of rain, a fifth of the 50.9mm recorded for the UK during May. Sunday looks to be drier and the better day of the weekend, before further rain in northern England on Monday. Meteorologist Honor Criswick said the wet weather was because of low pressure. She said: 'At the north of the country this brings in a north-westerly wind, so gradually drags in frontal systems out from the west and south-west, and that leads to some pretty changeable and wet weather at times.' Met Office spokeswoman Andrea Bishop said the weather for the rest of the week would be 'changeable'. She said: 'Generally the theme is the continuation of something a bit cooler, a bit breezy at times, and a bit wet at times too. 'We are keeping an eye on a new front which looks like it will move in on Friday night, bringing rain which could be heavy, and possibly thundery at times on Saturday. Scotland blasted by SNOW as summer starts with chilly temperature plunge – but warmer weather is set to return 'Rainfall totals of 20-30mm are likely in places and, at present, this looks like it will affect the southern half of the UK. We are keeping a close eye on this to see how it evolves over the next 24 hours or so.' Next week temperatures will rise to above average for the time of year, with highs of 25C next Wednesday in London and 23C in Manchester. The National Farmers' Union (NFU) said the change in weather would be welcomed by many farmers. Rachel Hallos, NFU vice president, said: 'After such a dry start to the year, this weekend's rainfall will be welcome in many areas. 'However, heavy downpours aren't the ideal way to restore soil moisture, what farmers really need is steady, consistent rainfall to support crops and grazing without causing run-off or damaging soils. 'These changing weather patterns, from long dry periods to intense bursts of rain, highlight the need for long-term planning and investment in water, particularly the water we need to produce the food we enjoy. 'Things like rainwater harvesting and more flexible abstraction rules are important steps in adapting to these new conditions.' Luke Hindle, duty manager for National Highways, urged drivers to plan journeys carefully. He said: 'Rainfall makes the surface of the road slippery, so increase the gap between yourself and the vehicle in front and keep your eyes on the road at all times as visibility can be reduced.' 5-day weather forecast Today: Early rain in the south and east clearing eastwards on Friday, followed by showers, these perhaps merging to longer spells of rain at times. Sunshine and showers in the north. Feeling cool in the fresh breeze. Tonight: More persistent rain and showers arriving in the west, spreading eastwards into Saturday morning. Clear spells and drier overnight further north. Becoming windy in the southwest by dawn. Saturday: Showers becoming widespread across England and Wales, often heavy and accompanied by hail and thunder. Showers more scattered in Scotland and Northern Ireland, and generally easing from the west later. Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday: A drier day on Sunday, before further rain and showers, mainly in the north, on Monday and Tuesday. Often breezy and feeling rather cool.
