Weather in the general media (Newspaper features etc)

[Summer Sun]

BRITAIN HIT BY SNOW SHOWERS

SNOW will hit many parts of Britain today as temperatures in some areas plunge lower than the Arctic. Scotland, the north of England and the Midlands are all expected to see flurries.

And forecasters said some areas would hit -12C, a 36C swing from last week’s summery conditions. And despite the gales and snowdrifts, no cold weather health warnings will be issued to help the elderly, ill and vulnerable.

Widespread snow in England normally triggers alerts telling hospitals and health workers they will be busier than usual. But the Met Office said the system only operates until the end of March.

http://www.dailystar...y-snow-showers/

Snow falls a week after record heatwave

PARTS of Britain woke up to a blanket of snow today as the recent scorching weather was replaced by wintry conditions and predictions of sub-zero temperatures.

Around seven inches of snow fell in Aviemore in the Highlands overnight as an Arctic weather front bore down on the UK. And today nine hillwalkers, including six teenagers had to be rescued after becoming stranded in the treacherous conditions. A major rescue operation was launched this morning after the party became stuck in the Cairngorms. Around four hours after they were initially alerted, police confirmed that the entire group had been rescued successfully.

The wintry blast comes just a week after record-breaking warm temperatures in north-eastern Scotland. Last Tuesday temperatures rose to 23.6C in Aboyne, Aberdeenshire, marking a new high in Scotland for the month. Today the mercury dropped to minus 0.5C overnight and was at 0C at 6am. The Met Office issued severe weather warnings for all of Scotland, as well as parts of northern England, Yorkshire and Humber, and the East Midlands.

The snow caused widespread travel chaos as temperatures plunged. Emergency services attend a seven-vehicle accident in Shotts, North Lanarkshire. There were a number of other collisions and reports of cars sliding off the road in Tayside and Fife where some vehicles also became stuck in the snow in the Largoward and St Monans area. Roads were closed in some areas due to the weather. Around four inches (10cm) of snow has carpeted most parts of northern Scotland overnight, with 7.5 inches (17cm) recorded in Aviemore and temperatures of minus 2.7C in Glen Ogle.

Top weather forecaster Aisling Creevy said: “A slow-moving Arctic front has brought a wintry mix of weather to parts of Scotland overnight with snow, sleet and rain in northern and central areas. “Snow and rain showers will continue in Scotland throughout the day and move into northern England before reaching the Midlands tomorrow morning. “Tomorrow the UK will be noticeably colder and feeling quite raw and we could get widespread lows of around minus 5C in Scotland overnight.†The weather is in stark contrast to March’s hot weather: the only years to have had a warmer month in the past 100 years are 1938, 1948, 1957, 1990 and 1997.

http://www.thesun.co...d-heatwave.html

[Summer Sun]

BRITAIN BLOWS HOT AND VERY COLD

BRITAIN is braced for winter to roar back across the country today as April’s big freeze tightens its icy grip. Up to six inches of snow is expected as far south as Wales and the Midlands as Arctic winds sweep in from the North, making Britain colder than Siberia. Scotland was yesterday plunged into a winter white-out with 10 inches of snow causing accidents on roads and travel chaos.

Nine hill walkers, including six teenagers, were rescued after being stranded by heavy snowfall in the Cairngorms. They were flown to safety in Braemar by a Royal Navy rescue helicopter. Navigator Lieutenant Angela Lewis said: “When we arrived on the scene wind speeds were probably in the region of 50 knots, so it was quite unpleasant.†After basking in record March temperatures of 64.5F (18C)a week ago, Aboyne, near Aberdeen, was transformed. Seven days after families were making sand castles on the beach, they donned scarves and coats to build snowmen.

Forecasters said the cold blast will move south from today with the entire UK braced for a shivering run-up to Easter. Parts of northern England, such as Northumberland, have already received their first dusting of snow. Sharp frosts will see temperatures drop to -7C (19F) in the North today and -2C in parts of the South. The Met Office issued severe weather warnings for ice and snow as far south as Wales. Forecaster Charlie Powell also said about half an inch of snow was possible in Cornwall and Devon. “Snow and sleet will make its way across southern England,†he added.

However, as Britain shivers in the second big freeze of the year, long-range forecasters say London is set for a scorching summer. The mercury could soar to more than 86F in time for the Olympics, according to royal weatherman David King. Mr King, who was called on by the Royal Family to help plan Prince William’s wedding to Kate Middleton last year, said: “The second week of the Olympics in particular will be a scorcher.†And although this will be welcomed by holidaymakers, Mr King warned: “By the end of the summer we’re going to have a serious drought. If you think we’ve got a drought now, wait until the end of July. Once we have got rid of Wimbledon – which will be rainy as usual – we are going to have a walloping July.â€

http://www.express.c...t-and-very-cold

BARMY APRIL BLOWING HOT AND COLD

BRITAIN’S bonkers weather went off the scale yesterday with sandcastles in the south and freezing blasts in the north. But sunshine and mild temperatures in England will today be replaced with blizzards. Up to six inches of snow was expected to have blanketed northern parts of the country by this morning. The snow was 10 inches deep yesterday in Aberdeenshire, where temperatures hit a March record 23.6C last week.

Mum Lois MacDonald, from Inverness, told how she was making sandcastles with her two-year-old son just a week ago. She Tweeted: “Sand- castles last week, snow angels this week…†Parts of Scotland shivered in temperatures of -12C, colder than Siberia. Forecasters said this could become the coldest April on record. Easter will be showery and just 5C. The Met Office said a severe weather warning will remain until tonight for the north, Wales and Midlands.

Netweather forecaster Paul Michaelwhite said: “It’s an incredible contrast to last week.†nine trapped walkers had to be airlifted off a mountain in the Cairngorms, yesterday.

http://www.dailystar...g-hot-and-cold/

Now it's out with mild March. . . and in with Arctic April

• Parts of Scotland blanketed in more than six inches of snow while further south, temperatures still in double figures
• Met Office issues weather warning as Arctic front moves south

A week is a long time when it comes to the British weather. Mild March has given way to Arctic April after a freeze descended on the country last night. Many parts of Britain were expected to wake to a coating of snow. Up to four inches was predicted in the high ground areas of the Pennines, Shropshire, Staffordshire and North Wales. A light dusting of around half an inch was set to fall on the South West, affecting Dartmoor, Exmoor the Cotswolds. As the freeze rolled in yesterday, seven inches of snow fell in four hours in parts of Scotland.

Overnight temperatures were expected to plummet to –2c (28f) in northern areas and to just above zero in most of the south, with isolated areas below freezing. The transformation comes after one of the mildest Marches on record which saw temperatures peak at 23.6c (75f) in Aberdeenshire ten days ago. However thankfully for those planning an Easter getaway, the freeze will soon be over, with temperatures rising from tomorrow. Northern parts of the country could have heavy rain on Friday afternoon but should be clear by Saturday, and the South and East will stay dry and bright for most of the weekend.

London and the South East should escape the snow with temperatures of 12c (54f) expected. Nine hill walkers, including six teenagers, were rescued from Cairngorms national park in Scotland after getting stuck in heavy snowfall. Three adults and two children were taken to hospital after a road crash near Skiach in the Highlands in snowy conditions. More than 11,000 Scottish Hydro customers, mainly in Tayside, were left without power for several hours due to the wintry weather. The cold snap could hit birds which started nesting early in the warm weather, said the British Trust for Ornithology. It asked householders to keep feeders filled, especially with peanuts and sunflower hearts. The notoriously changeable British weather lived up to its billing yesterday, delivering three seasons in just a few hours.

http://www.dailymail...l#ixzz1r3vQD289

Snow falls a week after record heatwave

PARTS of Britain woke up to a blanket of snow yesterday as the recent scorching weather was replaced by wintry conditions and predictions of sub-zero temperatures. Around seven inches of snow fell in Aviemore in the Highlands as an Arctic weather front bore down on the UK. And yesterday nine hillwalkers, including six teenagers had to be rescued after becoming stranded in the treacherous conditions. A major rescue operation was launched after the party became stuck in the Cairngorms.

Around four hours after they were initially alerted, police confirmed that the entire group had been rescued successfully. The wintry blast comes just a week after record-breaking warm temperatures in north-eastern Scotland. Last Tuesday temperatures rose to 23.6C in Aboyne, Aberdeenshire, marking a new high in Scotland for the month. Yesterday the mercury dropped to minus 0.5C overnight and was at 0C at 6am.

http://www.thesun.co...d-heatwave.html

[Methuselah]

So, just because he's a 'royal' weatherman, we are supposed to believe he can see four months' into the future?

[Summer Sun]

"WEEKS AND WEEKS OF RAIN" NEEDED TO END HOSEPIPE BAN

HOUSEHOLDERS face months without water as suppliers warn that Britain needs "weeks and weeks of solid rain" to overcome the current drought.

Water companies were today defending restrictions affecting millions of customers across parts of the country, which were enforced due to the record-breaking dry spell.

Householders in parts of southern and eastern England have been told that they face fines up to £1,000 if they are caught flouting the ban.

Following one of the driest periods on record, suppliers Veolia South East, South East Water, Sutton and East Surrey, Thames Water, Southern Water, Anglian Water and Veolia Central have implemented the restrictions.

Today the companies have been insisting that the "temporary use ban" is essential to preserve water supplies which have been severely dried up.

Mike Hegarty, Sutton and East Surrey Water's operations director, said the "increasingly serious" situation had left the company "no choice" but to implement the measures.

The introduction of the ban follows much of south-east England being officially in drought, with rivers running dry and groundwater levels being below those in the 1976 crisis.

The ban comes just weeks before water firms are expected to announce bumper profits of up to £2billion and four days after inflation-busting price rises, which took effect earlier in the week.

http://www.express.c...nd-hosepipe-ban

ARCTIC APRIL

BRITS face an Arctic April, with snow drifts, gales and ice causing nationwide chaos. And as temperatures plunge as low as minus 8C it is set to be the coldest since 1997. Thousands of homes in North Yorkshire were without electricity yesterday and hundreds of lambs are thought to have died in the freezing snow. Norman Burnham, 92, from Farndale, North Yorks, lost power at 10.30pm on Tuesday.

He said: “I’ve never known anything like this in April.†Durham police reported a foot of snow and 7ft drifts. There were six inches of snow in Derbyshire and four inches in Yorkshire, with parts of Wales facing another four inches last night. The Met Office’s Sarah Holland warned: “Thursday morning will be cold and frosty for many.†Meanwhile, the biggest hosepipe ban since 1976 starts today.

Almost 23million people across the south, east and Midlands face £1,000 fines if they flout it.

http://www.dailystar...9/Arctic-April/

Worst Easter getaway ever? Airports a nightmare, fuel tanker drivers' dispute... and when you get there you could be snowed in

• Millions warned of travel disruption as the mass Easter exodus gets underway
• AA cautions 15 million drivers expected to travel this weekend to plan for delays - with those heading to the west of the country facing the worst tailbacks
• Parts of Scotland cut off after being blanketed in up to 10 inches of snow
• Gale-force winds blow 20ft wall over obliterating three cars
• Thousands of households in Scotland and northern England left without power during severe weather
• Met Office issues weather warnings for Wales and Midlands as Arctic front moves south
• Good news for skiers as some of Scotland's resort re-open

http://www.dailymail...avel-chaos.html

Hosepipe ban threatens Jubilee and Olympic celebrations by shutting down Trafalgar Square fountains

• The iconic Grade II-listed London landmark uses half a million litres of water
• All ornamental fountains in drought zone hit by water restrictions

London’s iconic Trafalgar Square fountains will be switched off over the summer to comply with the strict hosepipe ban. Thames Water has ordered the supply be cut last night as part of a blanket restriction, which includes ornamental fountains, designed to conserve drought-hit reservoirs. The Greater London Authority said the current water stocks feeding the fountains will run out at the weekend.

Negotiations are underway to see if a compromise can be found in time for the arrival of millions of tourists to Trafalgar Square during the Olympic and Jubilee summer. Thames Water spokeswoman Natalie Slater said: ‘The water use ban covers fountains and Trafalgar Square’s fountains - and other fountains - will have to be switched off.

http://www.dailymail...lebrations.html

[Summer Sun]

HOSEPIPE BANS SET TO LAST ALL YEAR

HOSEPIPE bans affecting millions of households could last until the end of the year – or even longer.

Widespread restrictions came into force yesterday, with offenders facing fines of up to £1,000. Last night water companies warned there was no prospect of an early reprieve. Anglian Water spokesman John Clare said: “Even if it rains cats and dogs during the summer it is not going to replenish the rivers and groundwater supplies. “We are not expecting to lift this ban until next year, after we have hopefully had some prolonged heavy winter rain.â€

His grim words were echoed by Richard Aylard of Thames Water, who said: “It has taken two years of exceptionally dry weather to get us to this position and we are going to need quite a long period of average or above-average rainfall. “So realistically the hosepipe ban is going to be in place throughout the summer and into the autumn unless we have a phenomenally wet summer – and I wouldn’t wish that on anybody. But what we really need is winter rainfall.â€

Helen Vale, the Environment Agency’s national drought coordinator, said: “Despite this week’s rain the impact of the dry weather is becoming more apparent.†Restrictions even apply to fountains in London’s Trafalgar Square which are expected to be turned off this weekend. Although they have a store of several days’ supply they have to be refilled from the mains. About 30 fountains in the capital are affected but the Diana Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park has its own borehole. Thames Water spokeswoman Natalie Slater said: “The water use ban covers fountains and Trafalgar Square’s fountains, and other fountains will have to be switched off.

“We’ve been speaking to the Mayor’s office, we understand the importance of public spaces, but also councils need to be water efficient just like other customers.†The Greater London Authority said it was too early to say if the rules would be relaxed for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee at the beginning of June and the Olympics in July and August.

Garden centres have said they face huge losses as the 23 million customers hit by the ban stop buying plants and flowers. Environment secretary Caroline Spelman said in some areas the position was comparable to the 1976 drought. She said: “We can’t make it rain so we need to do all we can to conserve the water supply now.â€

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/312904/Hosepipe-bans-set-to-last-all-year

[Summer Sun]

Standpipes in the streets, water rationing and bans on car washes: How the UK could cope with the worst drought in decades

• Hose pipe ban was introduced this week after two dry winters in a row
• Second stage if water levels continue to drop is instructing non-essential users such as car washes golf courses to stop using water
• Standpipes rolled in the dry summer of 1976 are the final resort if drought continues
• Drought conditions are already affecting fruit and cereal crops, as well as destroying wildlife habitats and causing fish to die in low rivers
• Water to London’s Trafalgar Square fountains has been switched off

A ban on hosepipes for 20 million people - the strictest ever imposed - is now in force across most of the south and east of the country. It follows two consecutive dry winters and water firms say the ban is likely to last until the autumn if not into next year, even if there is normal rainfall during the summer. But the Environment Agency have warned the hosepipe ban is just the first step to help conserve water supplies, in the worst drought since 1976.

http://www.dailymail...l#ixzz1rGJyHtxN

18mth hose ban 'Worst case scenario' as water curbs hit 23m

A HOSEPIPE ban introduced yesterday could remain for 18 months.

The move by seven water firms — hitting 23 million people in parts of southern and eastern England — is set to last for at least six months. But the longer ban is possible as environment minister Richard Benyon admitted the Government was planning for the “worst case scenario†of a third dry winter in a row. Trevor Bishop, head of water resources at the Environment Agency, said: “Hosepipe bans are not particularly effective in winter, so we would consider whether to run it through winter and reinstate it in the spring or just let it run straight through.â€

Domestic customers face a £1,000 fine if they defy bans imposed by water companies Thames, Southern, South East, Anglian, Sutton and East Surrey, Veolia Central and Veolia Southeast. The curbs follow one of the driest two-year periods on record. Mr Benyon hinted that stricter controls of water use by businesses may be necessary within weeks. He said: “We want to make sure farmers can still produce the food we need, and that there’s enough water for the energy industry.†Jacob Tompkins of water conservation group Waterwise said: “This level of dryness is unprecedented.

“The hosepipe ban could last for at least a year and could become indefinite.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4242013/18mth-hose-ban.html

[Summer Sun]

WORST YEAR FOR HAYFEVER MISERY

THIS year’s hayfever season is set to be the worst ever as a perfect storm of weather conditions brings misery to millions. The drought, which has led to hosepipe bans in many areas, has sparked a ­dramatic rise in the pollen count. Last month’s warm weather brought forward the start of the season by two weeks and experts predict pollen counts this summer could be two or three times higher than usual. That is bad news for the UK’s 16 million hayfever sufferers, who face six months of runny noses and sore eyes. The mild winter followed by a sharp cold snap in February has led to an unseasonably early start to the usual spring allergies.

Birch pollen, which affects a quarter of sufferers, arrived around March 28. Grass pollen, which does not normally appear until mid-May, has also started to make itself felt. Hayfever expert Dr Eric Caulton said: “A continued lack of rain combined with warm weather means this summer doesn’t promise to be a good one for sufferers. “Allergenic birch pollen has already begun and now we are getting the first reports of grass pollen. Nettle pollen will also affect people from June, and that season runs until October.†Dr Caulton, who supplies pollen reports to the Met Office and runs the Scottish Centre for Pollen Studies, said: “The continued drought and warmer weather as we go towards summer mean pollen rates are expected to be high. “Many people will have runny noses and sore eyes and be sniffling and feeling out of sorts.†The problem was slightly tempered by last week’s cold weather, which saw many parts of the country covered under a blanket of snow. But it will get worse as temperatures begin to pick up again next week.

City dwellers will be the worst affected as air pollution pushes pollen rates even higher. Asthma sufferers are also being warned to take care in case the abnormally high pollen levels trigger an attack.

According to Professor Jean Emberlin, of Allergy UK, the worst-hit areas will be Bedfordshire, the West Midlands, South Wales, London and Surrey. She warns these areas will all suffer a “very high birch pollen seasonâ€, which will then continue into May with a high oak pollen count. This year’s pollen explosion has been caused by mild weather through most of the winter which resulted in high soil temperatures in spring. That allows for the early growth of catkins. These small “tree flowers†remain tight, smooth and closed throughout the winter but expand in early spring, before “flowering†and releasing their pollen. Professor Emberlin said: “The pollen season starts with birch pollen and this has struck earlier than usual this year. It started about two weeks earlier than usual and has spread up the country and has now even reached eastern Scotland.

“Any temperatures of around 13C (55F) together with a bit of wind will be enough to knock the catkins off and into the air. The unseasonably dry, warm conditions were perfect – although the cold snap will have knocked the pollen ­levels down a bit.†Professor Emberlin said the unusually early arrival of the pollen may mean some people are confusing their symptoms with a cold. “I do worry that people may be sniffing and sneezing and thinking ‘it can’t be hayfever yet’. Well, it certainly can be and the earlier people take steps to control their symptoms the better. “Hayfever is more than just a bit of a sniffle – it can in some cases progress into asthma so it really must be taken seriously.â€

http://www.express.c...hayfever-misery

HOLIDAY IS A WASHOUT AS GALES CHASE OFF THE SUN

BRITAIN will have a traditional bank holiday washout weekend with gale-force winds expected to batter huge swathes of the nation, forecasters predicted yesterday. Weather conditions will take a turn for the worse following ­yesterday’s sunny spells and there could even be some snow as 40mph gusts and rainstorms arrive for one of the busiest ­getaways of the year. Forecasters are warning ­holidaymakers and day-trippers to wrap up, especially on Bank Holiday Monday. Nick Prebble, forecaster with MeteoGroup, said: “Easter ­Monday will be wet, windy and unsettled, and bring the ­traditional April showers.

“Strong winds will pick up in the south and west of England and South Wales, but it will be breezy across the country. Gusts of up to 40mph – gale force eight – could hit Devon, Cornwall, South Wales and Anglesey.†The rain will be heaviest in western parts of the UK but it is expected to travel across the country during the day. Daytime temperatures should return to normal for this time of the year over the holiday, with a maximum of 13C (55F). But in remote areas the wind chill factor is expected to send temperatures plummeting to as low as 0C (32F) in parts of the North-east and 4C (39F) in East Anglia. The traditional bank holiday road problems are expected to occur as people return from ­weekend breaks in time for work on Tuesday.

Although the Highways Agency has completed a number of projects on ­motorways and major A roads, and suspended work on others, there could still be lengthy delays as millions head off for an Easter day trip or return from long weekend breaks. Motorists heading for the West Country are likely to face the worst delays. But there will also be problems along 22 miles of the M1 near Luton in Bedfordshire, an 11-mile stretch of the M25 near St Albans in Hertfordshire, 11 miles of the M4 near west London and 23 miles of the M62 near Leeds. Cat Kobylinski, of traffic ­information company INRIX, said the peak traffic times would be 2pm to 5pm on Monday. She said: “The traffic will begin to slow down after lunch but it should be clear by the evening. It will be an early rush hour.â€

Met Office meteorologist Michael Lawrence warned that up to half an inch of rain will fall over a few hours in the South on Monday. He said: “Most of the UK will have a noticeably breezy day and much of it will see some rain. It is not too extreme for the time of year but it will feel a lot colder because of the wind chill.â€

The weatherman warned holidaymakers heading for mountains in Wales, the Lake District and Scotland that they may even find themselves battling a more wintery kind of weather. He said: “There could be snow on higher ground. If anyone is looking for the sunshine and warmth we had recently, they will be ­disappointed.†An estimated 1.5million people have jetted abroad with Spain by far the most popular destination for Easter sun, according to travel association ABTA. Cyprus and Tunisia were close behind.

http://www.express.c...se-off-the-sun-

DROUGHT ROTA FEAR

BRITS may be reduced to filling up buckets from Victorian-style standpipes in the street if the drought gets worse, Government officials have warned. Their emergency plans could see water supplies placed on a “rota system†and only switched on at certain times of the day if the nation stays parched. Swimming pools will be closed and industries that use a lot of water, such as food manufacture, will face big restrictions.

In the worst UK drought since 1976, the strictest hosepipe ban ever is in force across the south and east.

A dry summer is on the cards but the “crunch point†will come if the dry spell continues into winter

http://www.dailystar...ught-rota-fear/

[Summer Sun]

Get set for rainy Easter Monday: Weekend will be cold, wet and windy... and there isn't even a silver lining for hosepipe ban victims

• It will take more than a month of heavy rain to replenish water levels
• Forecasters predict cloudy conditions and patchy rainfall on Saturday and Sunday
• Wet and windy weather on Easter Monday with winds of up to 40mph in south-west England and south Wales

It wouldn’t be April without showers – and the heavens will duly open to spoil the Easter weekend. While the gloomy forecast will dampen spirits, it will be welcomed by water companies desperate for rainfall. But anyone hoping for a relaxation of the hosepipe ban will be sadly disappointed, as experts warn it would take more than a month of heavy rain to replenish water levels. Forecasters predict cloudy conditions and patchy rainfall today and tomorrow, followed by wet and windy weather on Monday to complete a washout Easter weekend.

The forecast of wet and windy weather will be welcome news for water companies, though they warned that only sustained rainfall will help replenish low stocks. Mr Lawrence added: ‘March was very dry. April is likely to have average amounts of rainfall.

But a wet month won’t help water companies or save the public from a hosepipe ban. In fact, April is not even wet so far. It’s just average. ‘It will take far longer to replenish the water supplies than just one rainy month.’ A spokesman for the Environment Agency said: ‘The forecast wet weather will be particularly welcomed by gardeners in drought-hit areas. ‘But we can’t make up for the past two dry winters with just a few days of rain and it won’t stop the impact of the dry weather becoming more apparent across England and Wales. We’re continuing to monitor the situation closely and it’s vital that all of us – from householders to businesses, farmers and water companies – play our part by using water wisely.’

http://www.dailymail...l#ixzz1rMYoEGhK

A dank holiday for Brits

BRITAIN’S Bank Holiday getaway got off to a slow and gloomy start yesterday as the bad weather kept families at home. Widespread showers were set to continue all weekend, with temperatures struggling to top 12°C (54°F) — and heavier rain to follow. Forecasters also warn of cold winds nationwide, and gales up to 40mph in some areas. About 1.5 million Brits are flying overseas, with millions more planning day trips to the country or seaside. But there was no sign of the traditional Easter jams on the M5 to Cornwall.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4243588/A-dank-holiday-for-Brits.html

[Summer Sun]

APRIL SHOWERS? MUST BE EASTER

AFTER the sunniest March for decades April showers and dull skies swept over Britain just in time for the Easter weekend. However, the wet spell and last week’s earlier downpours just a cou- ple of days after hosepipe bans hit huge areas of the country, provided no relief for water companies which warned we may soon be in for further dramatic restrictions. While 1.5 million Britons escaped abroad, those left at home faced sharply sinking temperatures, with thermometers tumbling to below 50 Fahreheit (10 Celsius) across most of the UK. The third day of the cricket season’s first County Championship matches saw players wearing extra sweaters and most of the 250,000 spectators lining the River Thames for the annual Boat Race were wrapped in coats and scarves.

The sudden change is in sharp contrast to last year which saw beaches packed in 82F sunshine making it the the hottest Easter since records began in 1910. Tomorrow is expected to be even wetter and windier, with winds of up to 40mph hitting south-west England and south Wales and gusts being felt across most of the country. Nick Prebble of MeteoGroup, said that while the rain could provide a bit of a “reprieve†for parts of the country facing drought a lot more rainfall will be needed. Unless the next few weeks brings sustained, heavy rain, water companies are expected to apply for drought orders banning all non-essential water use.

This would mean the closure of private swimming pools, including those run by gyms and swimming clubs, though public pools would stay open. Commercial car washes would be banned from using jets or hoses, but bucket and sponge cleaning would still be allowed. The hosepipe ban would be extended to window cleaners and builders, and automatic toilet flushing in offices would be turned off when buildings are unoccupied. Both Thames Water and Sutton and East Surrey Water are said to be on the verge of applying for the restrictions and other companies are expected to follow unless we get treble the normal rainfall in the next few weeks.

Thames Water spokeswoman Natalie Slater said: “We’re preparing for the worst but hoping for the best. We desperately need rain.â€

Yesterday’s bad weather saw a man die after getting into difficulties when he apparently went on the River Swale near Richmond, North Yorkshire, in an inflatable dingy.

A body, believed to be that of the missing 35 year old, was later discovered by police.

http://www.express.c...-Must-be-Easter

MASSIVE WATER BAN LOOMS

DROUGHT-hit Brits face a long dry summer with a blanket ban on all non-essential water supplies. Water companies are set to demand the closure of thousands of swimming pools and car washes as part of the move. Thames Water is within a month of applying for a drought order clamping down further on its 8.8million customers. And other firms are ready to follow, according to Water UK which represents suppliers.

The new bans are the second most serious restrictions permitted after standpipes on the streets and are expected to come into force from late July. The orders would kick in as water firms are expected to announce bumper £2billion profits. Thames Water said that it was “preparing for the worstâ€. Its drought order would hit customers with all ten permitted restrictions – in addition to the 11 rules already in force as a result of the hosepipe ban.

Sutton and East Surrey Water said it could apply for an order for its 600,000 customers in four weeks. Drought orders must be approved by the Secretary of State. Nick Ellins, drought liaison advisor at Water UK, said: “We can see companies applying for drought orders within two months and it’s not impossible it will happen in a month. “Thames Water are nearest and other companies in the South-East are also heavily stressed. “It takes ten weeks to get a drought order so firms can’t afford to wait and see if the situation gets any better.†Thames Water spokesman Natalie Slater said: “We can’t say for definite when we’ll know if we need the higher-level restrictions – but we’re prepared for it if needed.

“Our drought plan is being followed and we have the plan for a reason. We’re preparing for the worst but hoping for the best.†And Sutton and East Surrey Water operations director Michael Hegarty said: “Water restrictions are phased. “The next four to six weeks are crunch time and if things get worse we’ll have to look at it again.â€Drought orders were a highly unpopular measure used during the shortage of 1976. They would mean the closure of all non-public swimming pools. Car washes would also be shut as all hosepipe or machine-operated vehicle, train, boat and plane washing would be banned.

Bucket and sponge cleaning would be allowed. Businesses would be forced to join home owners in turning off hosepipes and watering plants by hand. And offices and other buildings would also have to turn off automatic toilet flushing when the building was unoccupied. The orders will only be stopped by treble the normal rainfall.

But the Met Office has forecast below-average rainfall until July, saying: “Water resources are likely to deteriorate.â€

Water firms say hosepipe bans save just 5% of all water used.

http://www.dailystar...ater-ban-looms/

The hosepipe ban boss who will never run dry - thanks to the river at the bottom of his £1million mansion

As hundreds of thousands of his customers struggle to cope with the hosepipe ban, Southern Water chairman Colin Hood can draw unlimited water from a stream that flows past his Scottish mansion. The ban, which was introduced across swathes of the South of England last week, is now set to last for the whole summer, and may carry on into next year unless there are several weeks of heavy rain. Anyone caught using a hosepipe faces a fine of up to £1,000.

But 500 miles to the north of the drought-hit English counties, Mr Hood, 56, and his wife Alison, are unaffected by such restrictions at their £1 million residence, Kinvaid House in Perthshire. The property sits next to a tributary of the River Tay and the Hoods have ancient rights under common law to extract as much water for domestic purposes as they like. These purposes include car washing and garden irrigation – activities prohibited since last week in the one million households in Kent, Sussex, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight served by Southern Water.
Indeed, Mr Hood is within his rights to set up a sprinkler system this summer to keep his six-and- a-half acres of garden and paddock well watered.

Next to be banned: Car washes, window cleaners - and even your garden pond

Tougher new controls on water use are expected to be in force by July. A summer of brown lawns and dirty cars, buses, trains and planes beckons as firms are banned from using water for non-essential use. For the first time, commercial car washes, window-cleaning firms and gardeners hired to look after parks, gardens and lawns are also to be banned from using hosepipes and sprinklers. Ornamental ponds will dry up and garden water features will cease. Even public swimming pools face closure, although this would be a last resort.

From the east of England to London, through the Thames Valley to Oxfordshire, and the whole of the South of England, every water company is preparing to ask the Government for a drought order that will outlaw non-essential use of water. Work is under way now because it can take up to ten weeks to obtain such powers. Applications are made to Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman but she cannot make a decision until a public inquiry has taken place. Companies are also planning to apply for permits to allow them to extract more water from rivers that are already running low.

The current hosepipe ban could also ruin plans by towns to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Councils fear that patriotic red, white and blue floral hanging baskets will shrivel and die because they can’t be watered.

http://www.dailymail...l#ixzz1rS1nxBCI

Easter weekend set to end in washout

Forecasters expect that the cloudy unsettled conditions of the past few days will develop into occasional heavy downpours by Monday. They also warned that winds of up to 40mph could hit south-west England and South Wales, with gusts felt across the rest of the country. It is bad news for those who travelled to the south coast over the Easter bank holiday weekend. High winds and driving rain are expected to hit areas including Devon, Cornwall, South Wales and Anglesey. Michael Lawrence, from the Met Office, said: "Sunday will be rather cloudy for most with patchy rain and drizzle.

"By Monday it will be wet and windy but almost the whole country will see some rain and win – particularly in coastal and upland areas. "Temperatures will be about normal for this time of year – about 53.6F (12C). From Tuesday onwards it will become colder with sunshine and occasionally heavy showers." The gloomy outlook will be welcomed by water companies desperate for rainfall, although experts said a relaxation of the hosepipe ban is unlikely. They warned it would take more than a month of heavy rain to replenish water levels. The Easter weekend washout comes after the heaviest April snowfall for more than 30 years. The blizzards which hit much of the country followed one of the warmest March months since records began 350 years ago.

http://www.telegraph...in-washout.html

[Summer Sun]

UK forecast for the week ahead

A week of sunshine and showers lies ahead with all parts of the country seeing some longer spells of rain at times. But, after two dry winters the rainfall will have little impact on those areas affected by drought.

There will be a risk of night frosts throughout the week.

By the end of the week, winds will be turning more northerly and as a result daytime temperatures will also begin to drop. Snow showers will become more frequent across the Scottish mountains.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYXdT_ojsbw&feature=plcp&context=C406c199VDvjVQa1PpcFM31siyQdCnA4yIPb2kKjFb96FJ6DByk-g%3D

Edited April 8, 2012 by Gavin D

[Summer Sun]

10 HOURS OF RAIN IN BANK HOLIDAY SOAKING

TEN hours of rain is expected to drench Britain today – but it still will not be enough to relieve the drought. Nearly 24 inches of rain, the equivalent of 12 days’ worth – could cover the Welsh mountains today, more than a third of the area’s average for April. London and the South-east will have between two to four inches, meaning five days’ worth of rain could fall in the capital in just one day. It will be coupled with gales hitting the south coast at speeds of up to 50mph, slowing to 40mph further inland. The rain and wind will cap a miserable end to the Easter weekend, during which temperatures yesterday struggled to 9C (48F) in the East and West and 12C in the Midlands.

Last year Britain’s beaches were packed as a heatwave led to temperatures up to 82F over Easter. Rebecca Sherwin, a forecaster for the Met Office, said: “It will be quite a damp day for many people. Most of the country will see some rain but amounts will vary. The heaviest will be in the West, particularly the Welsh mountains and the Pennines. “Further east the rain will still be fairly persistent but much lighter.†The weather for the rest of this week will remain unsettled with sunshine and showers across Britain, while some snow could fall in Scotland and high ground in northern England tomorrow.

Ms Sherwin added: “This week most places will see some sunshine with showers developing each evening. Winds will gradually be easing as well.

“

Over the next month, it will remain quite unsettled with showers or longer periods of rain.†Netweather forecaster Paul Michaelwhite said that, from Tuesday, there will be a mix of sunshine and heavy, slow-moving showers, with widespread hail and scattered thunderstorms. Experts have said that it will take double the usual amount of rainfall to help rivers and reservoirs recover from the dry winter that led to a hosepipe ban coming into force last week.

http://www.express.c...Holiday-soaking

CAR WASHES AND SWIM POOLS MAY SHUT IN DROUGHT

CAR washes and gym swimming pools could be shut as water companies ratchet up their war on the drought blighting Britain. Water chiefs are also considering bringing in standpipes and water-rationing because, despite rain over the Easter break, much of the country remains bone dry. Millions of households have already been hit by a ban on hosepipes and sprinklers that came into force last week, backed by the threat of fines of up to £1,000. New level three drought orders would need to be approved by Environment Secretary ­Caroline Spelman and can take 10 weeks to be put into force. They are just one level below the most extreme restrictions, which are used only when there is just 30 days of water left and could include periodic cuts in water supply.

Further restrictions could see a ban on all non-essential water use as experts warn that the worst affected areas will need months of extra rain to recover. Cleaning businesses, car washes and pools in private gyms would all be forced to close down temporarily. Public swimming pools would remain open. Nick Ellins, drought liaison adviser at industry representative Water UK, said: “The water companies are ­planning long-term for any situation that comes their way. They have a series of triggers and when they reach one point, they bring in the next stage. “Two dry winters, the extremely dry autumn and the continuing dry weather have meant in some areas they have seen the driest 10 months since records began.â€

Thames Water could apply for an extended drought order within a month, while Sutton and East Surrey Water is also on the verge of clamping down. “We are preparing for the worst,†said Thames Water spokesman Natalie Slater. She added: “We imposed restrictions now in the hope more stringent conditions will be less likely.†Sutton and East Surrey Water operations director Michael Hegarty said: “The next four to six weeks are crunch time and, if things get worse, we’ll have to look at it again.†There are already fears that hosepipe bans could remain in place until at least the end of the year with no signs of any prolonged heavy rainfall.

Warm weather in March burns up records... but scientists aren't celebrating as they fear clearer signs of global warming

It's been so warm in the United States this year- especially in March- that national records weren't just broken, they were deep-fried Temperatures in the lower 48 states were 8.6 degrees above normal for March and 6 degrees higher than average for the first three months of the year, which far exceeds the old records. The magnitude of how unusual the year has been in the U.S. has alarmed some meteorologists who have warned about global warming.

One climate scientist said it's the weather equivalent of a baseball player on steroids, with old records obliterated. ‘Everybody has this uneasy feeling. This is weird. This is not good,’ said Jerry Meehl, a climate scientist who specializes in extreme weather at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado. It's a guilty pleasure. You're out enjoying this nice March weather, but you know it's not a good thing.’

http://www.dailymail...al-warming.html

10 hours of rain on dank holiday

ONE of the coldest Easters yet is set to get worse today — with gale-force winds and ten hours of rain.

Thundery showers and 50mph gusts will batter the South — and up to 4in of SNOW could hit the North tomorrow. The Met Office described today’s washout as a “miserable†end to the Bank Holiday weekend. Up to two inches of rain will fall in the West today, while the drought-affected East will receive half an inch. Temperatures will reach just 10°C (50°F) in many areas — up from Saturday’s chilly 4 to 8°C. The coldest Easter on record was 6 to 7°C in 1964. The wintry spell contrasts to the beach weather two weeks ago when temperatures hit more than 23°C (73°F). And last year’s Easter was the hottest for 62 years, with the mercury reaching 25°C (77°F). The Met Office’s Tom Morgan said: “It’s going to be a miserable Bank Holiday Monday, especially in the South.

Blustery “It will feel horrible in the wind and rain. It will rain for much of Monday daytime, with six to ten hours in the West and six to eight hours in the East.†The AA warned of “unpleasant†driving conditions, and the Highways Agency urged motorists to check local forecasts before venturing out. A spokeswoman said: “It could be wet and blustery across the South, so we advise drivers of vulnerable vehicles like motorcycles and people towing caravans to drive with care.†The AA said: “We haven’t had a spate of wet windy weather for a while so people might find it a bit of a shock — especially those going on long holiday trips.†About 1.5 million Brits were set to fly abroad for Easter.

Tomorrow’s expected snow and sleet in the North will come just a week after the heaviest April snowfall since 1981. Up to four inches is forecast for the Scottish mountains, with North Wales and the Pennines also hit. The Met Office predicts that the next three weeks will be unsettled and rainy — bringing some relief to farmers and water firms in the drought-hit South East.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4246353/10-hours-of-rain-on-dank-holiday.html

[J10]

10 HOURS OF RAIN IN BANK HOLIDAY SOAKING

TEN hours of rain is expected to drench Britain today – but it still will not be enough to relieve the drought. Nearly 24 inches of rain, the equivalent of 12 days’ worth – could cover the Welsh mountains today, more than a third of the area’s average for April. London and the South-east will have between two to four inches, meaning five days’ worth of rain could fall in the capital in just one day. It will be coupled with gales hitting the south coast at speeds of up to 50mph, slowing to 40mph further inland. The rain and wind will cap a miserable end to the Easter weekend, during which temperatures yesterday struggled to 9C (48F) in the East and West and 12C in the Midlands.

It has been wet across Wales but nowhere near 24 inches of rain.

[Evening thunder]

10 HOURS OF RAIN IN BANK HOLIDAY SOAKING

TEN hours of rain is expected to drench Britain today – but it still will not be enough to relieve the drought. Nearly 24 inches of rain, the equivalent of 12 days’ worth – could cover the Welsh mountains today, more than a third of the area’s average for April. London and the South-east will have between two to four inches, meaning five days’ worth of rain could fall in the capital in just one day. It will be coupled with gales hitting the south coast at speeds of up to 50mph, slowing to 40mph further inland. The rain and wind will cap a miserable end to the Easter weekend, during which temperatures yesterday struggled to 9C (48F) in the East and West and 12C in the Midlands.

New UK record anyone?? http://cdn.nwstatic.co.uk/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.png 24 inches, where do they get their facts from? So that means that area averages 60 inches, or 1524.8mm of rain in April, and apparently if London averages 2-4 inches in 5 days (which it will not receive today ), then it averages 12-24 inches, or 304.8-609.6mm each April..

Mind you, it is the Express..

[Summer Sun]

EASTER A RIGHT WASHOUT AND THERE'S WORSE TO COME!

BRITAIN will shiver all this week as an icy blast sends the temperature plummeting to -5C (23F). Millions of commuters returning to work today after the first bank holiday weekend of the year face persistent rain and gale-force winds in a taste of things to come for the rest of April. The chill prospect comes after a washout weekend for millions with one of the coldest Easters on record. What a difference from last year when Easter Monday saw tens of thousands descend on Bournemouth beach, Dorset, and other hot spots to bask in glorious sunshine. Yesterday however two inches of rain in some parts and 50mph gales capped the gloom and only a few hardy souls braved the blustery conditions.

A lone swimmer was spotted ­battling the choppy sea water at Bournemouth but he soon admitted defeat and left. Sandra Brook, 42, from Wimborne, Dorset, walked on the beach with husband Mark, 43, and their sons Harry, six, and Jacob, nine. She said: “It’s another bank holiday washout, but I suppose it’s about time we had some rain. “We decided to come along and have fun splashing about in the puddles.†The poor weather meant thousands of motorists were caught up in slow moving queues on routes like the A30 out of Cornwall and the M5 as they made their way home early from Easter breaks. Forecasters said that for the rest of the week persistent April showers, hail and thunder and even the threat of snow will “bring Britons back to earth with a bump†after a record-breaking March which saw temperatures nudge 77F.

Today up to four inches of snow is expected in the Scottish Highlands with heavy downpours forecast in north Wales and the Pennines. Snow is forecast for as far south as the Midlands by Friday. In southern England temperatures will be around 54F as the unsettled picture continues. Downpours will be welcomed by water companies in drought-affected parts of the country. However, those looking for a reversal of the current hosepipe ban will be ­disappointed. It would take more than a month of heavy rain to replenish ­supplies. Jim Dale, of British Weather Services, said after the weekend washout: “This weather was due and in many ways we were all spoiled by what happened in March. “What we are seeing is a balancing out, a making up of the deficit of rainfall, and it is no surprise to see April change its face. In April nothing less should be expected and a mix bag is the order for the rest of the month.

“What happened in March was good for the spirit and soul but totally out of kilter – now we are in for a dose of reality. It’s due.â€

Netweather forecaster Paul Michaelwhite added: “By Friday, anywhere from the Midlands northwards stands a chance of sleet or snow, with a high chance of wintry weather continuing through the weekend.â€

http://www.express.c...-worse-to-come-

BEACHES EMPTY AS GALES LASH BRITAIN

HEAVY rain and 50mph gales lashed Britain yest-erday to cap an Easter weekend washout. And forecasters warned there is worse to come. Up to two inches fell in parts of the UK as Brits tried to make the most of the last few hours of the four-day break. And forecasters predict it will only deteriorate further today with hail and thunder expected to batter the country. Chilly winds saw temperatures plummet to 9C (48F) with heavy downpours keeping the beaches empty. It made for a soggy afternoon for football fans watching a full league programme and for rain-soaked holidaymakers returning home.

Cross-channel ferries were batt-ered by strong gales and roads across the country were flooded after the torrential rain. Just a few children faced the downpours on south coast beaches, with huge waves battering the Southsea seafront in Hampshire. Holidaymaker Sandra Brook, 42, from Wimborne, Dorset, visiting Bournemouth with her family, said: “It’s another bank holiday washout, but I suppose it’s about time we had some rain. “We were determined to have a nice family day no matter what the weather, so we decided to come along to the beach and have fun splashing about in the puddles.“Last week’s sun was fantastic and I thought we would be set for summer but this bank holiday has brought me back to reality. I hope it doesn’t continue like this.â€

Experts expect lashings of hail and thunder today and up to four inches of snow in Scotland. Temperatures could fall as low as -5C (23F) as far south as the Midlands by Friday. But it will not be enough to have a real impact on the drought. Met Office forecaster George Goodfellow said: “It was a grey and wet bank holiday and anyone going outdoors would have needed a coat. “There was persistent light rain and drizzle and possible afternoon snow on Scottish mountains. “Most places had rain, with two inches expected on higher ground in Wales, over an inch in England’s south west and lower amounts elsewhere. He added: “Every little helps drought areas, but there’s not sustained rain ahead.â€

The soggy conditions made for one of the coldest Easters on record – near to the 6-7C (43F) of 1964. Mr Goodfellow added: “Tuesday will see widespread heavy showers plus thunder and hail, with snow over 500m or so in Scotland and possibly the Pennines and Wales. “It will feel cold this week, with a mix of sunshine and showers – wintry over northern hills – and Scotland forecast snow at lower levels over the weekend.†A vicar who claimed the best way to celebrate Easter Sunday was to “stay in bed, have sex and eat chocolate†got 100 extra worshippers at the weekend. Father Phil Richie, 44, saw his congregation go up 50% on the usual 200 at All Saints Church in Hove, East Sussex.

http://www.dailystar...s-lash-Britain/

Water firms to sell supplies to drought-hit areas for first time

Water companies are set to trade their supplies between areas for the first time. West Midlands-based Severn Trent Water plans to send 30million litres a day almost 100 miles to Lincolnshire, where it will help to ease the shortage faced by Anglian Water. The firms say an emergency trade could happen as soon as next month and benefit 100,000 drought-hit homes, after Anglian Water advised its four million customers to save water and imposed a hosepipe ban

The water would be sent from Birmingham into the River Tame, which joins the Trent, and then on to Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, through water pipes. A Severn Trent Water spokesman said: ‘We’re not sure how long it’s going to be needed, but we won’t compromise our own customers.’ Severn Trent says it will not make a profit out of the trade and will only charge Anglian Water the cost of transporting the supplies. It has spent the last six months looking at ways of moving water to balance out regional variations.

The company says its customers have the lowest consumption per head in the UK but it is still advising them to save as much water as they can. An Anglian Water spokesman said last night: ‘We’re looking at making the most of the water we have and work with neighbouring companies.’ Anyone caught using a hosepipe in areas where they are banned faces a £1,000 fine.

http://www.dailymail...l#ixzz1rdgVkBKM

Brits' Easter dank holiday was a complete washout

MILLIONS of Brits will return to work today after a bleak Bank Holiday washout. Many holidaymakers woke up to grey skies today as the weekend’s gloomy weather took a turn for the worse. In Wales, more than two inches of rain fell in ten hours, while the south west and south east of England were also soaked by squalls. Daytrippers in Bournemouth, Dorset, huddled under umbrellas as downpours hit. Mum-of-two Sandra Brook, 42, sighed: “It’s another bank holiday washout, but I suppose it’s about time we had some rain.†Cross-Channel ferries were buffeted by 50mph winds while temperatures in the east also plunged to single figures, making it one of the chilliest Easters on record.

The coldest ever was in 1964 at just 6°C (42°F). And in Scotland snow showers were expected for the week ahead. Yet despite the dire forecast, experts warned it would have NO impact on the current drought or see hosepipe bans lifted. Meanwhile, the Met Office said mercury levels could dip to as low as -5°C (23°F) in the Midlands by Friday. Forecaster George Goodfellow said: “It was a dull, grey and wet Bank Holiday and anyone going outdoors would have needed a coat. “Most places had rain, with two inches on higher ground in Wales, over an inch in England’s south-west and lower amounts elsewhere.

“Every little helps drought areas — but there’s not sustained rain ahead.â€

He added: “It will feel cold this week, with a mix of sunshine and showers, wintry over northern hills — and Scotland forecast snow at lower levels over the weekend.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4247051/Brits-Easter-dank-holiday-was-a-complete-washout.html

[Summer Sun]

SUMMER ‘ON HOLD’ AS MISERY OF SPRING CONTINUES

BRITAIN’S typically cold and miserable spring will last for weeks as summer is put on hold. April will bring shivering temperatures, rain, sleet and even snow with early forecasts for May no better. The gloomy prediction comes as the country this week prepares for another icy blast that will send temperatures plunging to -5C (23F). Forecasters said up to four inches of snow could fall in parts of Scotland with downpours expected as far south as the Midlands. But persistent drizzle in the South will not make a dent in the drought crisis. Jim Dale, meteorologist at British Weather Services, said: “We need more rain than even a very wet April would deliver, and for the next month this is just not going to happen.

“April is looking like a very mixed cool month, and we are not going to come out of that, even as we edge into May. Summer is without question on hold.†Farmers and water companies will welcome any rain as the South suffers its worst drought for 124 years. Hosepipe bans are set to remain in place until the winter. Any rainfall during the summer is unlikely to restore reservoir, river and underground water supplies – at their lowest for 30 years. The Environment Agency said rivers are at similar levels to 1976, a year of severe drought.

Despite the run-up to summer likely to be a damp squib, long-range forecasters say London could be in for a scorcher in July and August. Royal weatherman David King, who helped plan Prince William’s wedding to Kate Middleton last year, said: “The second week of the Olympics in particular will be a scorcher. “If you think we’ve got a drought now, wait until the end of July. Once we have got rid of Wimbledon – which will be rainy as usual – we are going to have a walloping July.â€

http://www.express.c...ring-continues-

What the hail happened to spring? Snow, sleet, rain and gale-force winds forecast at the weekend

• Snow forecast across Midlands, North and Scotland this week
• Another two weeks of wet weather for the rest of the country

If you thought the Easter weekend was a washout - watch out... the worst is yet to come. As Britain dries off following one of the wettest bank holiday weekends on record, much of the country is bracing itself for another onslaught of wintery weather. Snow hit the north yesterday and meteorologists warn there's more to come - we're set for another two weeks of terrible weather across the whole UK. County Durham was treated to a fresh blast of snow on Tuesday, as temperatures continued to drop across the country - following the already chilly Easter Weekend. And weather experts claimed more of the country could expect snowfall in the coming days.

Paul Michaelwhite, a forecaster with Netweather, said: 'By Friday, anywhere from the Midlands north stands a chance of sleet or snow as it becomes increasingly cold, with risks of frosts.' The latest snowfall my be restricted to northern areas, but none of the country will escape the tumbling temperatures and rain that will stick around for another two weeks. 'We're set for a showery few days across the whole country, with wintery showers in the north and Scotland and rain across the South and South East,' according to Met Office spokesman Sarah Holland. She added: 'Moving into Friday, there will be more rain, hail and thunder. It's going to be unsettled, wet and windy next week, and into the following week too.' And we'll all need to wrap up at night. Temperatures will plunge to 2-3 degrees and even drop below freezing in places. It's all a stark contrast to last April - which was the hottest since 2010, with temperatures regularly topping 25 degrees - and comes just weeks after a March heatwave that sent scores of Brits to the beach.

http://www.dailymail...st-weekend.html

Drought conditions could increase risk of flash flooding

Two unusually dry years have left the whole of the South East, East Anglia and parts of Yorkshire in a state of drought, with parts of the South West and the Midlands also suffering from dry conditions.

Seven water companies introduced hosepipe bans in a bid to conserve supplies in the face of low river, reservoir and groundwater levels - a move that was followed by widespread rain, which proved a welcome relief for gardeners. But the Environment Agency is warning that future heavy rain could lead to flash flooding as a result of the drought conditions. Dry, compacted soils mean that rainfall is less easily absorbed into the ground, increasing the likelihood of flooding if the country is hit by storms. The Environment Agency said a dry winter and spring in 2007 contributed in some areas to the devastating floods in the summer of that year, which hit the West Country, Midlands and Yorkshire.

Parts of the country had similar conditions as those currently seen in drought-afflicted areas, before the heavy rain hit in June and July 2007. The Environment Agency made its warning about the increased risk of flash flooding as it launched the first social media flood warning application on Facebook. ''Floodalerts'', which can be found by putting the term into Facebook's search facility, uses live flood warning data from the Environment Agency. The application, created and developed by software developer Shoothill, gives Facebook users messages on their wall when flood alerts or warning have been issued for their area. The Environment Agency hopes the new measure will complement its existing Floodline Hotline and website updates to help warn people of the risk of flooding. Craig Woolhouse, Environment Agency head of flood incident management, said: ''As the drought in England continues, the thought of flooding may be far from people's minds, but we cannot ignore the risk.

''Dry and compacted ground means that there is a greater risk of flash flooding if there is heavy rainfall, and stormy seas and high tides can produce floods at any time. ''Being prepared is vital to help reduce the risk of flooding.'' He urged communities to use the new Facebook tool, along with existing ways of finding out about flooding, to keep ''one step ahead'' of future floods. Over the next few days the UK will see a mixture of sunshine and showers - some of them heavy - but lighter, more continuous rain which can soak into the ground, rather than simply running off, is needed to tackle dry conditions.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/drought/9197726/Drought-conditions-could-increase-risk-of-flash-flooding.html

[Summer Sun]

WE’RE IN THE GRIP OF THE WORST DROUGHT FOR DECADES BUT…NOW BRITAIN IS ON FLOOD ALERT

BRITAIN was last night put on flood alert with torrential rain and thunderstorms gearing up to lash the country. Forecasters issued the warning while the nation suffers one of the worst droughts of the last century. And they said that bone-dry ground was to blame for the shock warning – with much of the UK at risk of widespread flooding. Environment Agency head of flood incident management Craig Woolhouse warned: “As the drought in England continues, the thought of flooding may be far from people’s minds, but we cannot ignore the risk. Dry and compacted ground means that there is a greater risk of flash flooding if there is heavy rainfall, and stormy seas and high tides can produce floods at any time.

“Being prepared is vital to help reduce the risk of flooding.†Months of virtually no rain has left ground so dry that rainwater is running off the surface in torrents. Weathermen said Britain is likely to be hit by a deluge of downpours which could last until the end of next week. Heavy rain and thunderstorms threaten to flood homes of more than five million people in high-risk areas.

Met Office forecaster Helen Chivers said: “We have a lot of showers around at the moment and some of those are going to be pretty heavy. “This intense rain can cause flash flooding and there is also the risk of reduced visibility on the roads. And this is what we are expecting for the next week. There is another band of rain coming in from the Atlantic.†Worst hit will be central and eastern parts of the country with fierce winds likely in many regions.

By Sunday, some parts will have seen 4in of rain since the beginning of the month – four times more than expected. The warning comes as a new flood alert application is launched on Facebook. FloodAlerts gives live flood warning data from the Environment Agency to users of the social networking site when an alert is issued in their area. Mr Woolhouse added: “With over five million people living or working in areas at risk from flooding across England and Wales, we are urging communities to use the new application, alongside our existing Floodline Hotline and website updates, to keep one step ahead of future floods.†Weather forecasters warned heavy rain will be followed by a blast of Arctic air at the weekend. Scotland could even see another bout of wintry showers as spring’s chilly theme continues.Despite the downpours, hosepipe bans – affecting almost 23 million customers – are likely to remain in place until the winter as the South suffers its worst drought for 124 years. The Environment Agency said rivers are at similar levels to 1976, a year of severe drought.

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/314050/We-re-in-the-grip-of-the-worst-drought-for-decades-but-now-Britain-is-on-flood-alert

[Summer Sun]

RAIN, GALES, SNOW ...NOW GET READY FOR THE ‘POLAR FLOW’

BRITAIN faces a return to winter this weekend as a bitterly cold “Polar flow†from the frozen Arctic roars in. In the latest twist to Britain’s topsy-turvy weather temperatures will plunge to -4C (25F) from today as freezing winds blow in from the North Pole. There will also be a deluge of rain and snow in Scotland and the North. Britain is also on flood alert, despite being in the grip of one of the worst droughts in a century

Bone-dry ground across much of the country will increase the risk of flash flooding in heavy showers because the water will not sink into the ground. The Environment Agency fears more than five million people could be at risk from flooding. Two flat races at Folkestone were abandoned yesterday after jockeys reported waterlogged, hazardous ground.

A family on the Isle of Wight escaped injury when their house was struck by lightning which sparked a fire – only for the blaze to be put out by a hail storm. The appalling weather is expected to create miserable conditions for the Grand National at Aintree tomorrow. Met Office forecaster Charlie Powell said: “Saturday will feel fresh for Grand National fans and a jacket will certainly be needed and maybe an umbrella. Nights will fall as low as -4C in Scotland and -3C in England until Monday.â€

Forecaster Brian Gaze of The Weather Outlook said: “Weekend temperatures will be on the low side, with the Grand National looking cold and showery after a Friday night frost.†Worst hit by rain will be central and eastern parts of the country with gusts of up to 50 mph. The downpour will not be enough to stop the drought, however. Hosepipe bans – affecting almost 23 million households – are likely to remain in place until the winter.

Royal weather expert David King said temperatures could reach higher than 86F in time for the Olympics. Mr King, who was called on by the Royal Family to help plan Prince William’s wedding last year, said: “The second week of the Olympics in particular will be a scorcher.â€

He warned: If you think we’ve got a drought now, wait until the end of July.â€

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/314236/Rain-gales-snow-now-get-ready-for-the-Polar-flow-

[stevofunnelcl]

Had one lightning strike, one thunderclap in Bournemouth yesterday

That's my first thunder heard for 2012

[Summer Sun]

Weekend of sun offers relief from rain... but don't bother getting out the deckchairs just yet because awful April is set to last

Rain-soaked families hoping to end the Easter holidays on a high will be able to bask in the warmth this weekend as sunshine covers the country again. But any ray of hope for a barbecue Spring will be extinguished next week, as torrential downpours, hail and even snow lash Britain. After a showery start to April, today's moderate weather will have many households looking forward to an enjoyable Saturday and Sunday outdoors. Temperatures will reach highs of 15c (59F) this afternoon, with bright spells across the UK and only a few light showers disrupting a pleasant outlook.

Met Office forecaster Charlie Powell said: 'There will be a few more showers as we go through the weekend but compared to yesterday and the day before, they will be few and far between. 'Although there will be some rainfall around it will be lighter and less frequent, until heavier bands of rain move in from the West on Monday. 'Next week will be unsettled and cool, and generally rather showery.' 'Temperatures will be in the low teens at best, reaching highs of about 10-13c (50-55F) on Tuesday and Wednesday.' The rest of the week will see further snow in the north and continuing windy conditions - and there is unlikely to be much change in the grim outlook as the month goes on.

Mr Powell added: 'Looking at the 30-day forecast, the unsettled theme is pushing on, with no great long dry spells on the horizon just yet.' The Met Office said we can expect showers or longer spells of rain into May, with daytime temperatures should often close to or a little below average for many. It seems particularly cold in contrast to the past two years, when Britain has enjoyed record-breaking spring weather. A Met Office spokesperson said 'This is very typical April showers weather and the last few years have been the exception.'

But anyone hoping for a relaxation of the hosepipe ban will be sadly disappointed, as experts warn it would take more than a month of heavy rain to replenish water levels. Around 50mm of rain will have fallen by Sunday - the same as the total expected for the whole month - but much more would be needed to fill rivers and reservoirs and relieve the drought in the South and East.
Weather experts said that areas affected by drought need more than 400mm of rain to get back to normal levels.

In Scotland, ski resorts have been told that they may be able to reopen thanks to a chance of snowfall.
It is a stark contrast to last April - which was the hottest since 1910, with temperatures regularly topping 25c (77F) - and comes just weeks after a March heatwave that sent scores of Brits to the beach.

http://www.dailymail...l#ixzz1rvTSAqWn

[Summer Sun]

DROUGHT WORSENS AS 32M NOW FACE WATER SHORTAGES

TWO-thirds of England is likely to be hit by devastating water shortages as the drought worsens, experts warned last night. The official zone is expected to be extended to affect a total of 32 million peopleamid the worst water crisis for 124 years. The warning comes despite the country being deluged with rain over the past week, with more on the way this month. The Environment Agency last night re-issued its warning to save water to avert a disaster. National Drought Co-ordinator Helen Vale said: “Although there has been some welcome rain recently, the drought has not gone away and it is as ­important as ever that businesses, water companies and consumers all play their part by using water wisely. “The amount of water that we use at home and in our ­businesses has a direct effect on the amount of water available in the environment, for wildlife and for farmers – so we would urge everyone to start using less water now, whether or not they live in an area with a hosepipe ban.â€

Experts say bone-dry ground is causing rain to run off in ­torrents rather than soak into depleted underground stores. Although raising the risk of flash flooding, torrential bursts of rain will do little to ease the crisis. The official drought zone already includes parts of North Yorkshire, East Yorkshire and South Yorkshire, the South and South-east. But the East and West Midlands are now likely to follow. The Midlands region covers ­Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, West Midlands, Warwickshire, Shropshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire. The Environment Agency said it is a question of “when rather than if†parts or all of the East and West Midlands join the drought zone.

The whole country could be subject to water restrictions including hosepipe bans in weeks, experts warned. Anglian Water, Southern Water, South East Water, Sutton and East Surrey Water, Thames Water, Veolia East and Veolia Central have all imposed ­restrictions. Bosses warned bans could continue until after Christmas as reservoirs and rivers reach severely low levels. Bewl Water Reservoir near Lamberhurst, Kent, has now just 42 per cent of its capacity. Forecasters said double the average rainfall levels are needed until August to replenish ­reservoirs, rivers and underground supplies.

http://www.express.c...water-shortages

NEW ICE COLD BLAST ON WAY

BRITAIN will be blasted by another bout of Arctic weather over the next few days – with temperatures plunging to their lowest since Christmas. Fierce winds will roar in from Lapland and the North Pole from today, making sub-zero temperatures feel even colder, hitting -5C (23F) in the North. If snow and icy winds don’t reach you, then torrential rains will. Today’s Grand National looks set to be blighted by heavy showers, with the course threatening to be the muddiest since 2001. And forecasters say Britons should not put away their winter woollies yet because the freak cold spell could last into May. Jim Dale, meteorologist at British Weather Services, said: “Looking forward, there is more to come and we are not likely to get out of this colder period any time soon.†Just weeks after an unseasonal sunbathers’ March, he added: “The warmth we had has gone – and we better get used to it.â€

Afternoon temperatures in Newcastle tomorrow will linger at 6C compared to a mild 13C experienced on December 25. Even at 8am on Christmas morning a relatively balmy 10C was recorded. Overnight, the mercury could plunge much further. Yesterday the mercury fell to -7C in Edinburgh. Even in the South, night-time temperatures could hit -5C. Forecasters said last night that the big chill will start to set in over the weekend as freezing winds bring snow, sleet, hail and gales. Met Office forecaster Charlie Powell said: “Overnight temperatures are below average, we would expect them to be in low single figures, not down to freezing at this time of year.â€

Independent forecasters Netweather predict a chilly weekend with the rest of April “not looking greatâ€. Paul Michaelwaite said: “It is turning colder overnight with some wintry showers in Scotland and even over the moors in Yorkshire on Saturday. There is a fairly brisk north wind cutting in over the weekend, and overnight it will drop below freezing which is relatively rare for the time of year.†He believes next week will be wet and windy. It will be slightly milder, but temperatures will still be well below the average for this time of year. Britain’s bizarre topsy-turvy weather shows no sign of ending. It has even been whipping up giant thunderstorms and mid-air tornados. A “funnel cloud†– a spinning vortex stretching below a thunderstorm – was spotted over Norwich on Thursday.

The Met Office issued a severe weather alert as more heavy thunderstorms hit the South-west yesterday, warning of localised flooding and hail, despite the drought crisis. Ironically, parch-dry ground cannot absorb water so easily, adding greatly to the risk of flash floods. The recent deluge is still not expected to be enough to cope with the drought, with experts predicting scorching temperatures in July, just in time for the London 2012 Olympics. But yesterday the dark thunderclouds resulted in a wet day out for around 50,000 racegoers at Aintree for yesterday’s Ladies Day. Lunchtime showers are due again today for the Grand National.

http://www.express.c...ld-blast-on-way

BIG CHILL TO SWEEP BRITAIN

BRITAIN will be colder than Christmas this weekend as biting Lapland winds whip the country. Forecasters predict night time temperaturesare set to plummet as low as -6C. The Met Office also issued a severe weather alert as heavy thunderstorms hit the south-west yesterday, warning of localised flooding and hail. Experts also warned the weekend will feel chilly due to north-easterly winds from northern Scandinavia. Scotland will peak at 6C and southern England 11C, but it will feel several degrees colder with the windchill.

Meanwhile, weather experts said April’s downpours would need to continue at double-the-average rainfall levels until August to end the drought because groundwater levels plummet in the summer due to tree growth and increased evaporation. The drought zone covers 27million people south-east of a line from Tees-side to Bournemouth.

http://www.dailystar...-sweep-Britain/

Colder than Christmas: Wrap up for another chilly weekend as temperatures drop to -3C (27f) dashing hopes of a heatwave

If you were hoping for last month's early spring to make a comeback, then you will be sadly disappointed this weekend. A chilly couple of days are on the way, with snowfall expected in some parts of England. Most regions will see sunshine and showers today, but areas of higher ground in the north will have a dusting of snow in the morning after a freezing night.

After a mild March, April has been typically chilly with seasonal showers. Forecasters said rainfall has been close to average nationally for the first two weeks of the month. Meanwhile weather forecasters have said April's showers would need to continue until August at double-the-average to end the drought. More than 20 million people are affected by the hosepipe ban in the south-east of England.

A jet was hit by lightning yesterday on its way to London from San Francisco. United Airlines Flight 930 was forced to turn round when it was struck only minutes after taking off. The 258 passengers were left shaken but unhurt, and were due to fly to the UK last night.

http://www.dailymail...l#ixzz1s0i7pyjZ

[Spurry]

Not sure if this is the right place to ask(there used to be a TV weather section i think), but, does anyone know why the BBC weather website has not updated their uk video forecast for 48hrs? ,the last one i can see is from Friday 13th April at 17.53hrs.

Edited April 15, 2012 by Spurry

[Spurry]

Not sure if this is the right place to ask(there used to be a TV weather section i think), but, does anyone know why the BBC weather website has not updated their uk video forecast for 48hrs? ,the last one i can see is from Friday 13th April at 17.53hrs.

Finally updated at 18.04 today maybe someone read my post

[Summer Sun]

The BBC's Chris Fawkes looks ahead for the coming weeks weather

Monday night and early Tuesday looks like bringing some much needed rain to the areas in need but the rest of the week there doesn't appear to be much rain on offer for the SE Thursday may bring some but that is a long way off yet in weather terms

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPnm2XeYmPg&feature=plcp&context=C406c199VDvjVQa1PpcFM31siyQdCnA4yIPb2kKjFb96FJ6DByk-g%3D

Edited April 15, 2012 by Gavin D

[Summer Sun]

WORST DROUGHT SINCE 1976: 40M HIT BY HOSEPIPE BAN AS CRISIS DEEPENS

BRITAIN’S drought crisis is getting worse with 17 more counties listed today as facing devastating “long-term†water shortages. Environment bosses say south-west England and the Midlands are now officially in drought with almost 40 million people now affected by water restrictions. The official zone already includes parts of Yorkshire, the South and South-east. Experts say the entire country could be subject to water restrictions, including hosepipe bans, within weeks. Yesterday, the Environment Agency warned the crisis could continue until after Christmas as a result of reservoirs and rivers almost running dry.

Despite recent downpours, underground water sources are depleted with months of rain needed to resupply them. Trevor Bishop, the agency’s head of water resources, said: “While we’ve had some welcome rain recently, the problem has not gone away and we would urge everyone to use water wisely now – which will help to prevent more serious impacts next year.†Two dry winters in a row have left parts of Britain facing the worst drought for more than 100 years. The new official drought zones include Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, the West Midlands, Warwickshire, Shropshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Bristol, South Gloucestershire, parts of Hampshire and most of Wiltshire.

Seven firms in the South-east imposed water restrictions this month and customers face a fine of £1,000 for using a hosepipe. British Waterways has imposed lock opening times at several canals in an emergency move to preserve water. The Environment Agency said the lack of rain was “taking its toll†on farmers, crops and wildlife. It has had to rescue fish from the River Lathkill in Derbyshire after it dried up. The Rivers Tern, Sow, Soar and Leadon reached their lowest ever recorded levels in March. And there were fears yesterday that Britain’s longest river – the Severn – could be reduced to a trickle by the summer. The drought extension comes as forecasters warned that heavy rain will hit most areas tonight, with gales tomorrow which maybe severe in the South-west. Britain is set to endure a cold and windy week with the risk of snow in northern England tomorrow with lows of -4C this morning.

http://www.express.c...-crisis-deepens

Edited April 16, 2012 by Gavin D

[Summer Sun]

Britain faces worst drought since 1976

More than half of Britain is now in drought, the Environment Agency has warned, as the UK faces its most severe water shortage since 1976. Half of Britain is now in drought as the country faces its most severe water shortage since 1976, the Environment Agency warns today. More than 35 million people are now living in drought-affected areas, with water shortages today declared across the Midlands and South West. Parts of the country are already drier than they were in the summer of 1976, when Britain experienced its worst drought for more than 100 years. The drought of 1976 led to standpipes being installed in residential streets, water supplies to businesses being rationed and schools having to close early. The Environment Agency says similar measures are unlikely to be enforced this summer, but warns the dry conditions will damage the environment and lead to widespread water restrictions.

“The lack of rain is taking its toll on the environment and farmers – causing problems for wildlife, wetlands and crop production,†a spokesman said. “Companies and consumers must all play their part by using water wisely to help conserve supplies.†According to the Environment Agency, an area is in drought when the lack of rainfall has a “material effect on the environmentâ€. Drought has already been declared across London, East Anglia and the South after the eighth-driest year on record, affecting more than 20 million people and leading to water restrictions.

Today the Environment Agency announces that 17 counties across the South West and the Midlands are now in drought, affecting a further 15 million people. While water companies in the new drought areas say they have no plans to introduce hosepipe bans, they are urging customers to conserve water. Dr Barnaby Smith, an executive at the Government-funded Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, said that in parts of England river levels are lower than they were in April 1976. East Anglia is thought to be the most badly affected area.

“There are parts of the country that are, for the time of year, in a worse position than in 1976, hydrologically speaking,†said Dr Smith. Caroline Spelman, the Environment Secretary, is urging households to cut back on the amount of water they use. “As more areas of the UK move into drought it is vital that we use less water to protect the public’s water supply in the driest areas of the country,†she said. “It is for everyone to share the responsibility to save water. We are asking everyone to help by using less water and starting now.†The drought is so severe in parts of Britain that plans are being drawn up to trade water between two regions for the first time to supply more than 100,000 homes in the worst-hit areas. Severn Trent aims to sell 30 million litres of water a day to Anglian Water, one of the seven companies that have imposed a hosepipe ban, to help ease the shortage.

A former head of Welsh Water said last week that Wales should profit from transferring water to England. John Elfed Jones, former chairman and chief executive of the company, says water is a business and, like oil, it should be sold to make money. Ciaran Nelson, a spokesman for Anglian Water, said that constant rainfall was needed “for weeks if not months†to reverse the current situation. “We have had less rainfall in the last 18 months than in the last century,†he said. Anglers and environmentalists fear that the River Severn, which is experiencing a “dire†lack of rainfall, could be reduced to a “trickle†within months. Wildlife campaigners said that if the conditions continue, plants and animals that rely on the 220-mile waterway for survival will be endangered. The chairman of Shropshire Anglers Federation, Sir John Roberts, said that over the past five years general rainfall levels had been falling. “Last year was bad but this year is worse because we haven’t had the rain through the winter,†he said.

“April seems to be working as we expected, but we could do with a month’s worth of constant rain to bring things back to where they should be. We are in dire straits. When we hit high summer, the River Severn could be a trickle.

http://www.telegraph...since-1976.html

Britain faces worst drought since 1976 (and the Severn could dry up by summer)

• More than 35million people now living in drought zone
• Another 17 counties officially designated as 'water-stressed'
• That area is largest suffering water shortage since 1976
• River Severn may completely dry up in places by the summer
• Communities forced to pull out of Britain in Bloom contest
• Drought could last until after Christmas in parts of England

More than 35million people are now living in the drought zone which is engulfing England. Another 17 counties in the South West and the Midlands will be officially designated as 'water-stressed' today - the largest area suffering a water shortage since 1976. Although the hosepipe ban currently in force for 20million people has not yet been extended, contingency plans are being drawn up as the Environment Agency confirmed the drought is likely to last until Christmas. Officials are concerned that a third dry winter this year could be a tipping point and trigger restrictions for businesses or even further restrictions in homes for the first time in 36 years. The restrictions are embarrassing for the Government which is showcasing Britain during this year's Olympics and the Queen's Jubilee. Parks are included in the hosepipe ban and London’s iconic fountains will be turned off.

The River Severn - Britain’s longest river - may completely dry up in places by the summer, with disastrous consequences for plants, wildlife and fish stocks. A section near Ironbridge in Shropshire is already causing concern - just 50 miles from Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire where the Severn burst its banks, deluging dozens of homes back in 2007. Despite the poor outlook, the Severn Trent water company, which serves eight million customers, has no plans for a hosepipe ban due to operating an internal ‘water grid’ to move water from the wetter west of the region to the drier east.

And yesterday it emerged communities are pulling out of the Britain in Bloom contest - a source of civic pride for around 2,000 towns and villages every year. Thousands of bulbs which have been ordered and paid for by local committees may not even be planted due to the arid conditions, which are already taking their tolls on farmers and the environment. Local councils are said to be holding crisis talks with the Environment Agency and water companies to devise ways to irrigate public flowerbeds and hanging baskets - which is normally carried out by volunteers.

North Norfolk District Council – in one of the worst-hit drought areas - is facing the prospect of planting 30,000 flowers in June which cannot be cancelled even though campaigners warn they will wither and die. Joan Thame, chairman of the In Bloom committee in Sheringham, Norfolk say they have already abandoned plans for colourful baskets this year as they cannot be filled using water bowsers filled from the mains. Bulpham in Bloom in East Anglia which won a silver gilt award at Royal Horticulture Society finals in 2010, and gold two years running for Anglia in Bloom, is considering pulling out altogether.

http://www.dailymail...ht-spreads.html

Two thirds of England expected to be in drought until Christmas

TWO thirds of England is expected to be in drought until CHRISTMAS — and Britain's longest river may be almost entirely dried up by the summer. The River Severn, which runs from Powys to the Bristol Channel, is suffering from a "dire" lack of rainfall. And if conditions continue, it could have a devastating effect on plants and animals which rely on the 220-mile waterway for survival. Sir John Roberts, of Shropshire Anglers Federation, said: "We're in dire straits. When we hit high summer, the River Severn could be a trickle." Environment Agency bosses declared 17 more English counties were officially in drought today. The crisis has now swept into the Midlands and South West with further calls on home owners not to waste water.

Shropshire Wildlife Trust warned pondlife was also struggling and added: "Low water levels in our rivers can be problematic for fish and pollutants from agricultural run-off may become more concentrated." Drought zones already exist in London, the South East, East Anglia and parts of Yorkshire. Trevor Bishop, head of water resources at the Environment Agency, said: “A longer term drought, lasting until Christmas and perhaps beyond, now looks more likely. “While we’ve had some welcome rain recently, the problem has not gone away, and we would urge everyone - right across the country - to use water wisely now, which will help to prevent more serious impacts next year.†Fish have had to be rescued from the River Lathkill in Derbyshire after it dried up. The Rivers Tern, Sow, Soar and Leadon reached their lowest ever recorded levels in March.

In the South West, chalk streams such as the Hampshire Avon and the Dorset Stour, which support rare trout and salmon species, are also exceptionally low. Water firms are now staring at the prospect of a third dry winter.

*The new official drought zones are Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, West Midlands, Warwickshire, Shropshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Bristol, South Gloucestershire, parts of Hampshire, and most of Wiltshire.

http://www.thesun.co...p-entirely.html

Edited April 16, 2012 by Gavin D