UK's heatwave could end in wash-out

[craig7501]

Britain's hottest week in years could end in a wash-out with some parts of the country at risk of flooding, forecasters warned.

As temperatures soared beyond 30C (86F) in parts of Surrey, the north east of England was hit by a torrential thunderstorm.

The Environment Agency warned south Wales and south west England should be braced for heavy downpours.

Tony Conran, forecaster for MeteoGroup UK, the weather arm of the Press Association, said: "Tomorrow is certainly a possibility for the hottest day of the year but for other parts there could be floods.

"There's an area of very heavy rain moving in towards the hills of Bodmin and Exmoor. Anywhere in Cornwall, Devon and Somerset there could be a hell of a lot of rain."

An Environment Agency spokesman added: "The Environment Agency and Met Office are warning homeowners, businesses and drivers in south west England and South Wales that heavy, thundery rain could lead to flash flooding, particularly from surface water drains and small watercourses."

Forecasters had earlier raised the heatwave warning alert level from two to three.

The current weather spell is the hottest since July 2006, with yesterday the hottest of the year so far at 31.8C (89.2F).

The heatwave plan alert is in four stages, with green level one signalling "summer preparedness and long-term planning".

Level two is amber and signals "alert and readiness", while three is red for "heatwave action". Level four is classed as "red emergency".

[JudesNiceThings]

Glad I'm in East Anglia - today was splendid!!

[moonwitch]

Glad I'm in East Anglia - today was splendid!!

East Angular?.....that's abroad innit?

[craig7501]

The UK is facing severe weather on two fronts, with storms and flash floods in some areas and a raised heatwave alert in other parts of the country.

Thunderstorms in Tyne and Wear and Cumbria have caused flash floods, with up to 500 lightning strikes recorded.

The Met Office and Environment Agency are warning of flash floods and thunderstorms in south-west England and South Wales on Thursday.

Earlier, the heatwave alert level had been increased for south-east England.

Temperatures are forecast to head back to normal levels over the weekend.

One lightning strike on Wednesday knocked out part of the Tyne and Wear Metro service, and Durham Police said some people had been seen taking refuge in their cars.

Police closed the A68 in both directions after a storm hit the Rowley Bridge area near Consett, County Durham, causing part of the bridge to collapse.

Debris fell on to a house undergoing renovation, trapping one workman inside the building for a short time, but no injuries have been reported.

For Wednesday evening Met Office severe weather warnings of heavy rain remained in place for Yorkshire and Humber, north-west and north-east England, south-west Scotland and the Borders.

The Met Office issued a severe weather warning for parts of south-west England and said there was a "moderate risk" of severe weather in much of Wales during Thursday.

Heavy, thundery rain is expected to spread north east during the day, with some downpours generating 25 to 50mm of rainfall.

Drivers were advised to take extra care and seek advice on traffic disruption on Thursday.

Hot nights

Meanwhile heatwave warnings in London and the South East reached Level 3 - the second-highest level - on Wednesday, with temperatures exceeding 30C and forecast to continue through Thursday.

The Department of Health has issued special advice for the elderly and other people at risk from the heat.

It is the first time the Met Office has issued a Level 3 heatwave alert since June 2006.

It occurs when temperatures reach a certain threshold - which varies by region - and are sustained in one or more regions over two nights and the intervening day, with a forecast of higher temperatures to come.

The Met Office said a key factor in raising the alert had been night-time temperatures, with some areas not falling below 18C.

The highest heatwave level - Level 4 - is classed as "red emergency".

It is reached when heat is so severe that illness and death may occur among the fit and healthy, and not just in high-risk groups.

Met Office spokeswoman Sarah Holland said temperatures in London and the South East could reach 33C on Thursday.

The most up-to-date figures for the government's health advice line NHS Direct show it took 318 calls from members of the public on Tuesday, complaining about sunburn, heat-exhaustion, breathing difficulties and other heat-related ailments.

The Department of Health (DoH) said those at most risk from heatstroke included the very young and the very old, and people with heart and respiratory problems.

It said people should contact their local environmental health officer if they had concerns about living conditions for themselves or a vulnerable friend, neighbour or relative.

London Underground passengers are being advised to take bottles of water on every Tube journey.

And St John's Ambulance volunteers are on hand to issue advice and treat tennis fans suffering from the heat at Wimbledon.

The London Ambulance Service urged people to only call for an ambulance in a genuine emergency.

It has been treating large numbers of patients for breathing problems, chest pains, loss of consciousness and fainting. The service received 4,765 calls on Tuesday - an increase of 21% on the previous week.

[RonOne]

Could have done with a spot of rain in London,
the weeds look awfull

[RonOne]

East Angular?.....that's abroad innit?

You thinking of Norfolk Broads.





I am.

[earthangel]

You thinking of Norfolk Broads.





I am.

What have the women of Norfolk got to do with it?