logo
Thunderstorms set to bring warm weather to a halt

Thunderstorms set to bring warm weather to a halt

Independent2 days ago

The Met Office forecasts blustery showers, heavy rain, and possible hail and thunder for the UK, marking a stormy start to summer after a record-breaking sunny and warm spring.
Temperatures are expected to remain mild in the mid- to high-teens, a contrast from May's peaks of 29.3C, with Scotland seeing 13C and London experiencing 19C on Thursday.
Meteorologist Clare Nasir predicted wet weather and stronger winds, especially along channel coasts, with rain tracking eastward and potential for hail and thunder over the weekend.
The UK experienced its warmest and sunniest spring on record, with the Met Office noting record mean temperatures and sunshine across Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
Met Office scientist Emily Carlisle highlighted that the UK's changing climate is leading to more frequent extreme conditions, such as prolonged dry, sunny weather, alongside natural variations.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Take shorter showers, says boss at crisis-hit Thames Water
Take shorter showers, says boss at crisis-hit Thames Water

Telegraph

time2 hours ago

  • Telegraph

Take shorter showers, says boss at crisis-hit Thames Water

A boss at crisis-hit Thames Water has asked customers to take shorter showers. The UK's biggest water company, which is teetering on the brink of collapse, has also urged people to turn off the tap when brushing their teeth, reduce laundry loads and fix leaking lavatories. The advice is intended to help conserve water as England faces a summer drought after the driest spring since the reign of Queen Victoria. Andrew Tucker, the firm's water demand reduction manager, told the BBC: 'A couple of minutes off your shower could save a huge amount. 'The south east of England gets less annual average rainfall than Sydney, Rome and Lisbon and is feeling the impact of climate change and extreme weather events. 'The UK faces a shortage of water in 25 years and, whilst people are aware, behavioural change isn't coming through yet, as our latest data shows. Being water efficient is very easy – it's the simple things that make a difference.' Regions in drought status England has experienced its driest March, April and May since 1893. Five regions across the North were moved to drought status by the Environment Agency because reservoirs and rivers are at such low levels. A survey by Thames Water of 2,000 adults in its network area, conducted by Opinion Matters, found that the average person spends about eight minutes in the shower. The company said a person who shaved two minutes off their shower time could save £73 on water and energy bills a year and around 20 litres of water per person every day. The survey also found that 42 per cent of people say they keep the tap running while they brush their teeth. A running basin tap can use six litres of water a minute and people who turn off the tap 10 seconds sooner save over half a litre, the firm said. It also said that on average leaking lavatories on average waste 200-400 litres of water a day, and that doing two less weekly washes can save a person £46 on their water and energy bills. The advice comes as the utility giant struggles under a £20 billion debt pile and faces the risk of collapse into a government-supervised administration. The firm's attempt to secure its future suffered a major blow this week after a potential rescue deal collapsed. On Tuesday, the private equity firm KKR abandoned plans for a £4 billion bailout following a row over fines and executive bonuses. The firm was also hit with a record £123 million fine last week by Ofwat, the water industry regulator, for breaching rules over sewage spills and shareholder payouts.

Reform has landed in Scotland
Reform has landed in Scotland

Telegraph

time3 hours ago

  • Telegraph

Reform has landed in Scotland

Yet again a Scottish by-election has kicked the political establishment in the shins. Yes, in Scotland, after 18 years in power, the SNP is currently the political establishment and its defeat at the hands of Labour with a 602 vote majority – and Reform UK close behind in third place by just 869 – votes demonstrates the disruptors are making an impact. Labour's unexpected and narrow victory makes it clear the SNP is likely to struggle to form a Government when the full Holyrood election is held next May. That election will be held under a proportional voting system which, were Reform UK to poll anything like the 26.1 per cent achieved in Hamilton by its candidate Ross Lambie, could give the party a healthy group of MSPs in the mid-twenties and possibly make them king-makers. For the Conservatives, the evening was bad but not quite as embarrassing as they privately feared. Polling only 1621 votes, Tory sighs of relief were audible from Gretna to John O'Groats once they realised their vote share was 6 per cent, saving a lost deposit had it fallen to below 5 per cent. Still, it remains impossible to say if the Conservatives have yet bottomed out. Tory candidates face being squeezed across Scotland from all ends by the other pro-UK parties so long as regaining trust with voters remains the Conservatives' biggest challenge. Despite the best efforts of Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay providing more focussed stewardship, the Conservatives still risk falling below their worst ever Holyrood vote in 2011 when Annabel Goldie's campaign achieved only 12.4 per cent. The SNP leadership will need to look hard at their strategy of building up Reform as a 'far right' bogeyman and talking-up the prospect of a two-horse race between the SNP and Reform. The First Minster, John Swinney, had suggested the only way to stop Reform was for Labour voters to get behind the SNP; he begged them from the pages of a Labour-supporting tabloid to come over to the nationalists. Instead of reducing Labour's support by this tactical ploy, he received a stinging political slap in the face as his pleas only served to give Reform credibility as a serious challenger while Labour activists flooded the constituency on the last day to get their vote out. What is also clear from the by-election is that making out Nigel Farage as a vote loser in Scotland does not hold water. The same used to be said about Margaret Thatcher and Boris Johnson, but the truth is there has always been a Scottish market for big personalities that parties of the Left have sought to demonise. Photos of the Clacton MP were all over the Reform UK's publicity materials, and he was regularly promoted via social media – and did the unthinkable of visiting the constituency during the campaign. Yes, he's a marmite figure, but he's been a marmite figure for much of his political life in most of England too, and now has the best ratings of all the party leaders. After the initial realisation during polling day that they simply did not have the shoe leather on the ground to push for second place, Reform UK's supporters quickly realised they had actually achieved an amazing result. Their candidate, Ross Lambie, had polled 7,088 – which next to Labour's 8,599 and the SNP's 7,957 resulted in a highly creditable three-way fight. Coming from only 7.8 per cent in the Hamilton and Clyde Valley Westminster constituency boundary at last year's general election to achieve 26.1 per cent this time round is a very strong showing. Reform UK has landed in Scotland.

UK weather: Hail, thunderstorms and strong winds to batter Britain with 50mm of rain in just two hours this weekend
UK weather: Hail, thunderstorms and strong winds to batter Britain with 50mm of rain in just two hours this weekend

Scottish Sun

time3 hours ago

  • Scottish Sun

UK weather: Hail, thunderstorms and strong winds to batter Britain with 50mm of rain in just two hours this weekend

WEEKEND WASHOUT UK weather: Hail, thunderstorms and strong winds to batter Britain with 50mm of rain in just two hours this weekend Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) 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. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Londoners are seen battling with the driving rain on Westminster Bridge on Thursday Credit: Story Picture Agency 3 Met Office forecaster Aidan McGivern looks at the weekend forecast Credit: X 3 Rain fall leaves difficult driving conditions on the M56 in Manchester Credit: Zenpix 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.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store