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Posted
  • Location: Darlington
  • Weather Preferences: Warm dry summers
  • Location: Darlington

Flood chaos strikes Britain

TERRIFIED families’ Christmas travel plans were disrupted yesterday as torrential rain caused widespread flooding. Rail passengers were advised not to travel in Devon, Cornwall or South Wales. Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said emergency staff were working round the clock to keep roads and railway lines open. He pledged: “We will ensure that everything possible is done to help people get to where they need to be for Christmas.†First Great Western advised passengers to avoid journeys west of Taunton, Somerset, because of flooding and landslips. Arriva told passengers not to travel by rail in South Wales. A full-scale evacuation was ordered in the devastated Cornish town of Helston after a river burst its banks. In nearby Lostwithiel, 150 homes were evacuated by boat after two inches of rain fell in 12 hours.

Also at risk last night were Dorset, north Devon, Bristol, Worcester, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Sussex, Yorkshire and Cheshire. The Environment Agency increased to six its severe flood warnings, the highest level of threat where there are fears of loss of life. Two warnings covered the River Yeo in Barnstaple, north Devon, where there was extensive flooding. The Environment Agency said: “There is a risk to life.†Police warned of the dangers of rushing water, saying a mere 10 inches could knock people off their feet. The Helston evacuation began before dawn, with officers waking residents and leading more than 250 to an emergency centre. Fifty homes were flooded as the River Cober burst its banks. Braunton in north Devon was cut off as torrents spilled through the streets after overwhelming new £1million flood defences. Council chairman Liz Spear said: “Sandbags can’t stop it, the water is so strong.â€

http://beta.dailyexp...strikes-Britain

DREAMING OF A WET CHRISTMAS

MILLIONS of travellers faced a floody nightmare before Christmas as heavy rain caused chaos across the UK yesterday. More downpours are expected tomorrow, spelling misery for Brits heading home for the festive ­season. Around 12million people are set to hit the roads and another 1.5million are ­expected to get trains for the big ­Christmas Eve getaway. Network Rail told passengers not to travel yesterday in the flood-ravaged South-West and Wales. Floods severed First Great Western and Arriva Trains’ Wales lines – and ­replacement buses were unable to pass waterlogged roads. On lines that were working stations, including London Euston, were packed on one of the busiest travel days of the year.

But the Met Office has warned a ­further deluge could result in more widespread flooding and disruption. A spokesman said: “Today’s respite will be followed by 12 hours’ more rain across England tomorrow, threatening more floods and transport chaos as Christmas Eve travellers make ­journeys to visit loved ones. “Up to 30mm more rain will fall and it will be heaviest in the South.†The weather warnings come after days of persistent showers sparked flooding across the nation, forcing many out of their homes and leaving countless travelers stranded. Four severe flood warnings, ­signalling a danger to life, were issued for South-West England. Yesterday, the town of Braunton in Devon was cut off, with homes and shops under water ­after the River Caen burst its banks.

The Coastguard was called to ­evacuate people trapped in their homes. Devon and Cornwall police said around 100 properties were hit by the flooding, including the town of Helston in Cornwall. The Environment Agency issued 108 flood warnings across ­England and Wales and a further 313 flood alerts. It said there was a heightened flood risk across Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Bristol, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, West and East Sussex, North Yorkshire and Wales. The soggy conditions also wreaked havoc with sporting fixtures, with 14 Football League matches postponed due to waterlogged pitches including the Championship game between Blackburn and Brighton.

But there is good news ahead as the Met Office said we should expect drier conditions from Christmas Day onwards.

And forecasters who wrote off the chance of a white Christmas last week now claim in some parts of the UK ­people could see snow outside their windows while unwrapping presents. A spokesman said snow will fall on higher ground in the North on Tuesday, while other parts will see 7C temperatures with sunshine and showers.

http://www.dailystar...-wet-Christmas/

Christmas flood misery: Woman clings to tree for 50 minutes as waters rise and rescuers battle to save family of three from drowning in submerged car

This is the moment a woman was spotted holding onto a branch for her life as she desperately battled to stay afloat in a swollen river. A Devon and Cornwall Police helicopter saw her clinging onto the tree on the banks of the River Taw before fire crews plucked her from the water in the early hours of today. The woman had been hanging onto the branch for 50 minutes after she was swept from her car by the fast flowing flood water in Umberleigh, near Barnstaple, Devon. Today, flood waters in South West England began to recede, giving residents and business owners the chance to start the clean up operation and assess the damage. Some parts of the UK received more than a third of its expected monthly rainfall in one day and the Environment Agency has put out 186 flood warnings. One severe flood warning - meaning risk to life - has also been issued for the River Cober in Helston in Cornwall.

http://www.dailymail...l#ixzz2FsvtVuP1

Flood of tears Hundreds face Xmas in shelter

HUNDREDS of people faced a miserable Christmas in rescue centres last night after being forced to flee their flood-hit homes. And thousands more fear they could join them, with torrential rain forecast for at least another TWO days. Festive travel plans were also plunged into chaos. Rail passengers were told not to use trains in the SOUTH-WEST and WALES because of flooded tracks — and driving conditions were hazardous. The Environment Agency issued SIX severe weather warnings — meaning danger to life — in DEVON and CORNWALL yesterday, along with more than 500 flood alerts across the country. Worst-hit areas had two inches of rain — two weeks’ worth — on Friday night.

One severe warning was in HELSTON, Cornwall, where 250 people face spending Christmas in a rescue centre. Cops woke them in the night and told them to leave their deluged homes. Another warning was for LOSTWITHIEL where another 200 had to bed down at a community centre. Two more were at BRAUNTON, North Devon, where homes and shops were flooded after a £1million flood defence system failed. The final couple were both for BARNSTAPLE, where the River Yeo threatened to burst its banks and breech defences. All minor roads north of the town were closed. Another 15 people had to leave their homes in PLYMPTON, near Plymouth. Firemen in DORSET rescued stranded motorists including one OAP trapped for five hours at CHRISTCHURCH. And SWANAGE beach was closed after a huge landslip smashed into beach huts.

On the A14 near CAMBRIDGE drivers faced near night conditions at NOON. Swans glided along pavements in WORCESTER after the River Severn burst its banks. Heavy winds whipped up seas off REDCAR. Rail passengers were warned not to travel west of TAUNTON, Somerset, and train services were crippled in LONDON, READING and BRIGHTON. Football was also badly hit. The Championship match where BLACKBURN hosted Brighton was called off and 18 games were postponed in Leagues One and Two. Forecasters warned of up to TWO inches of rain in the South-West today and tomorrow — with no respite in some areas until after Boxing Day.

http://www.thesun.co...l#ixzz2Fsx1WnbR

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  • Location: Darlington
  • Weather Preferences: Warm dry summers
  • Location: Darlington

Flood chaos to last until new year

A DELUGE of rain is set to blight Christmas and could last until the New Year, forecasters said last night. Families are facing a holiday nightmare of further flooding and fresh travel chaos with roads and rail lines already hit by closures. Storm-lashed Britain is expecting an inch more rain over the next 24 hours and winds of up to 80mph today in parts of the country. The Environment Agency had last night issued one severe flood warning – meaning there could be loss of life – while nearly 450 further warnings and alerts were also given out. Tony Conlan, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, warned: “We haven’t heard the last of the flooding stories.There is no sign of settled weather for at least the next week.†South-west and central areas of England are most at risk while the North and East are also likely to come in for a battering.

Hundreds of thousands of people now face the prospect of their houses being under water over the festive period. At least 400 homes have been flooded in the past four days alone. As a Government minister last night urged people planning to travel through affected areas to check before setting out, one forecaster said more flooding is “inevitableâ€. Jonathan Powell, of Vantage Weather Services, said: “Flooding looks inevitable as we brace ourselves for another huge deluge. Unfortunately, it means many will have to spend Christmas Day bailing out or away from their homes. He added: “Those who have been flooded already this year look likely to suffer more misery. If we hadn’t had the recent rain we could have probably scraped through Christmas but there is nowhere for the water to go.†A Met Office spokesman said that around a month’s worth of rain had fallen across the UK in the last five days alone. The average monthly rainfall for Britain in December is 4.7 inches.

But swathes of the country have seen higher totals than that between December 19 and 23. Communities in the drenched South-west have been urged by the Environment Agency to be especially vigilant over flooding. In Devon and Cornwall, 300 homeowners were evacuated over the weekend. The village of Lostwithiel, Cornwall, suffered some of the worst flooding and there was a severe flood alert in Helston after a river burst its banks. One village in Devon – Braunton – has been cut off by the worst flooding for 60 years. Diane Cohen, 63, who runs the Mariners Arms pub, said: “All you can see is people with their belongings out on the pavements, mopping up and cleaning up. It’s like a disaster zone.†Rail services between Plymouth, Exeter St Davids and Taunton remain suspended. The M4 near Reading was also flooded.

In the Midlands, the Environment Agency has described the situation as “a big winter flood†with river levels in places on the Severn as high as since the summer 2007 storms. Dozens of minor roads have been flooded and swathes of countryside are under water, but serious transport disruption has so far been avoided. Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “We urge people travelling through the most affected areas to plan ahead and check the latest travel information. We will continue to ensure everything possible is being done to help people get to where they need to be for Christmas.†While there is expected to be some respite tomorrow, an Atlantic weather front is expected to dump yet more rain later this week.

Last night the Met Office issued an amber alert – the second highest warning – for the South-west, but said much of southern Britain will be battered by strong winds and rain. It has also issued a warning for tomorrow where flooding incidents are likely to peak. Met Office forecaster Michael Lawrence said: “We are expecting further wet and windy weather today and tomorrow – particularly in the Southwest – which will fall on saturated ground giving rise to flooding.†Scores of emergency centres have been opened in anticipation. Families in the Aberdeenshire town of Stonehaven were evacuated yesterday to a rest centre after a river burst its banks and water levels reached waist deep.

In north Devon, a mother who was swept away from her car survived by clinging to a tree in freezing water. Vanessa Glover, her husband Paul and son were trapped in their 4x4 in the swollen River Taw, near Umberleigh, in the early hours of yesterday. Paul and their son scrambled on the roof but Vanessa was washed away. She held on to a branch for 50 minutes before a police helicopter pinpointed her position and an RNLI crew picked her up. RNLI commanders were “gobsmacked†that she survived. After being treated in hospital Vanessa went back home to South Molton. Her husband Paul said: “We are very glad to be alive. I didn’t think I would see her again.†In Wales, a driver was rescued after her Mini became stuck under a bridge in flood water in Llancarfan, Vale of Glamorgan. The woman in her thirties, from nearby Barry, was shaken but did not need hospital treatment.

http://beta.dailyexp...-until-new-year

TWO WEEKS FLOOD HELL

SOAKED Brits have been told “the worst is yet to come†as forecasters predict two more weeks of floods. Travel networks were in meltdown last night and a fisherman was missing at sea while scores of families are facing Christmas away from waterlogged homes. With fresh downpours set to lash already flooded areas today, experts say the winter washout will last well into the new year. Coastguards last night called off the search for a fisherman thrown into the water when his boat capsized near Poole harbour. Two crewmates were rescued but he was last night feared drowned. Meanwhile, pub-goers in Llancarfan, Wales, were praised for saving a woman whose car was washed away in the deluge.

Punters from the Fox & Hounds plucked the driver from her Mini moments before it was dragged under a bridge arch. Another woman was saved by RNLI volunteers as she clutched tree branches after the River Taw engulfed her car near Umberleigh, Devon. Scores of families in the south west and Wales now face Christmas in shelters. And forecasters are predicting almost no let-up for flood-hit areas. The Met Office’s Michael Lawrence said: “There’s an amber warning for the south-west, mainly Devon and Cornwall, today. “There will be more rain, up to 30mm. It’s not so much huge amounts but the fact that it’s falling on already saturated ground. “There will be further rain for the rest of the week, mainly in the areas already affected.

“It’s going to be a pretty unpleasant period for a lot of people.†Flooding has caused chaos around the country. First Great Western advised rail passengers not to travel west of Taunton in Somerset. Hundreds of roads suffered tailbacks with the busy M4 completely closed around Reading yesterday. North-eastern Scotland was also hit, with residents evacuated in Stonehaven and trains cancelled between Dundee and Aberdeen. In south Wales, a wall collapsed above a row of family homes in Pontypridd, Rhondda. New £1.2million flood defences in Braunton, Devon were breached. Around 100 properties in Helston, Cornwall were awash after the River Cober broke its banks. In Worcester, the Severn was set to peak at 17ft – more than double its usual level. The RNLI saved four people and two dogs trapped in two flooded properties in Bishops Tawton, near Barnstaple. In Looe, Cornwall, heavy rain caused two landslides which cut off the village of Hannafore. The Environment Agency had 300 flood alerts in place last night, 157 flood warnings and one severe warning of “risk-to-lifeâ€.

http://www.dailystar...eks-flood-hell/

Christmas travellers facing misery as floods cause chaos on roads and railways after a month's rainfall in just five days

  • Since 19 December Cardinham, Bodmin saw 155 mm in five days - it has a usual monthly average of 300mm
  • First Great Western: 'If you are planning to travelling to or from Devon and Cornwall it is advised to postpone your journey if at all possible'
  • 145 UK flood warnings in place - majority in Midlands and the South West
  • Scotland and West Country are likely to suffer the most Christmas Eve rain
  • Despite a brief respite yesterday water levels have continued to rise
  • Rail routes under pressure as Christmas commuters try to get home
  • Up to 30mm of rain is expected to fall between midnight and noon
The great Christmas getaway has been stalled by floods which are hampering the rail network with lines in the south-west among services hardest hit. Continued heavy rain also played havoc with road journeys, while a series of accidents on major highways added to the travel chaos. Operator First Great Western has advised customers traveling to or from Devon and Cornwall to postpone their journeys. Hundreds of homes and businesses have been swamped with floodwaters, from the southern-most parts of Cornwall to the Highlands of Scotland as winter rains fall across a land that is saturated to bursting point.

http://www.dailymail...l#ixzz2FyJPZA6D

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  • Location: Darlington
  • Weather Preferences: Warm dry summers
  • Location: Darlington

UK To Remain On Alert For Another Week

Christmas has got off to a soggy start for many parts of the UK, as more rain falls on flood-threatened areas. Hundreds of homes and businesses have been swamped with floodwaters as winter rain continues to fall on saturated land. The Environment Agency (EA) said widespread showers meant many places remain on flood alert despite the persistent heavy rain being expected to ease off by the end of today. An EA spokeswoman said: "While the worse of the weather is behind us, the risk of flooding continues with rain falling on already saturated ground. "As a result, flood warnings and alerts will remain in place for much of the week ahead.

"This is because river levels remain high and sensitive to further rainfall." The rivers Severn, Trent, Avon and Thames are most at risk of flooding, the EA said, and another band of rain is expected to swamp the country on Boxing Day. There are more than 160 flood warnings in place across the country, and 266 less serious flood alerts. The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning - its second highest alert - for southwest England. The Met Office said the wettest place in the UK since the heavy rain began last week was Tyndrum in Perthshire with 6.1in (155mm).

Cardinham, near Bodmin in Cornwall, is the wettest place in England with 5.1in (128.8 mm) of rain and the wettest place in Wales has been Mumbles Head in West Glamorgan with 4.2in (107mm) of rain. Ballypatrick Forest in Antrim has been the wettest place in Northern Ireland, with 3.5in (89mm) of rain. Some areas have exceeded their full-month December average since December 19 - such as Plymouth, which has seen 5.1in (128.8mm) of rain compared with a December average of 4.7in (118.8 mm). Lower-level yellow weather warnings have also been issued for much of southern England and Wales. Following a an extremely dry start, Britain is now set for one of its wettest years ever, the Met Office said. The UK's average rainfall in 2012, excluding December, is 1,202mm - placing it 13th in the list of wettest years since records began in 1910. Forecasters said December's deluge of rain means this year is now likely to finish among the country's highest rainfall totals on record. The year 2000 remains the UK's wettest year, with an average rainfall of 1,337.3mm.

http://news.sky.com/...or-another-week

Christmas Day showers add to flood risk

Wet weather is set to continue until at least Friday, potentially bringing further flooding to parts of the UK, weather forecasters have predicted. Heavy showers and gusty winds will move eastwards across England and Wales on Christmas Day, but parts of central and eastern Scotland should stay dry. The Environment Agency (EA) said many places will stay on flood alert despite a slight easing of weather conditions. More than 470 properties have been flooded since Wednesday, the EA said. Water levels are still rising on some of Britain's longest rivers, such as the Thames and the Severn, the agency added. At Ironbridge in Shropshire, temporary flood barriers have been put up along the Severn to keep householders dry on Christmas Day. Dorset is the area most likely to experience more flooding on Christmas Day, due to rising groundwater levels, officials have warned.

The year 2000 remains the UK's wettest year, with an average rainfall of 1,337mm. BBC forecaster Matt Taylor said: "The weather is lacking a little bit of festive cheer at the moment. "On Boxing Day, more wet weather will push in from the south-west. While any rain is not welcome at the moment, at least the strong winds will push the rain away from the south-west quite smartly". He concluded: "It really doesn't end."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20840752

Wet Christmas: Britain underwater as 431 areas of the country are hit by brutal flooding

HEAVY rain is set to bring yet more flooding to much of Britain today as the country braces itself for the wettest Christmas in decades. Hundreds of homes and businesses have been swamped with floodwaters, from the southern-most parts of Cornwall to the Highlands of Scotland as winter rains fall across a land that is saturated to bursting point. The Environment Agency said widespread showers meant many places remain on flood alert despite persistent rain expected to ease in most places by tomorrow. David Jordan, the EA's director of operations, said: "The ground is still very wet and river levels remain high, so we would ask people to keep up to date with the latest warnings and stay prepared for flooding." The EA has 154 flood warnings, urging people to take immediate action, in place across England and Wales and a further 258 flood alerts. There are 19 flood warnings in place in Scotland - bringing the total number of areas at risk nationwide to 431.

The EA says more than 470 properties have flooded since Wednesday, while Floodline revealed it has received 18,000 calls during the recent wet weather. The rain continued to cause travel disruption yesterday, heaping misery on millions of Christmas travellers on road and rail networks. A series of accidents on major highways also added to the travel chaos. Three men were killed and three other people taken to hospital after a two-car crash on the A68 in Midlothian, Scotland, early yesterday.

http://beta.dailyexp...brutal-flooding

Thunder and lightning wake the south as floods bring misery in the south west and there's more rain to come throughout Christmas Day

Forget a white Christmas - much of the UK faces the prospect of more heavy rain again today, with some parts of the country even waking up to thunder and lightning this morning. In an unseasonal start to Christmas Day, parts of London saw thunderstorms this morning, with showery rain spreading across the country. More flood misery could be on the way for parts of the south West of England with a flood warning in place and up to 20mm of rain forecasted. Forecasters say that although 2012 is not likely to be the wettest festive period on record, it has been unusually wet so far. The Met Office has forecast today to continue in a similar vein to yesterday which saw the great Christmas getaway disrupted by heavy rain across much of Britain.
The south of the country, in particular the south west will endure the worst of the weather, but showers will be widespread. And it looks like there will be no sign of any respite, with more rain on the way for Boxing Day and Thursday, and a nasty looking weather front bring more showers and gale force winds on Friday.


There was a wet start to the day in Eastleigh in Hampshire, with surface water making life difficult for drivers heading out on Christmas morning. The rain looks set to become 'more organised' into the evening spreading into the north west and Scotland through the night but easing off elsewhere. Areas where the rain does clear could get colder with temperatures down to 1C in parts of Scotland and 4C in parts of central England. The north east of Scotland could see some ice overnight and into tomorrow. Boxing Day will again see widespread patchy rain with low pressure edging in from the west and yet another band of rain heading into the south west and Northern Ireland by the afternoon, with rain moving north east as the day progresses. Parts of the Pennines and Highland areas could see some snow. A Met Office spokesman said: 'There is still a fair amount of rain to come and it will also be fairly breezy.' Thursday will see more wet weather across the south with outbreaks of rain. Flood warnings are likely to remain in place in the south west until at least Thursday.

http://www.dailymail...l#ixzz2G3lsUbJO

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Posted
  • Location: Darlington
  • Weather Preferences: Warm dry summers
  • Location: Darlington

Landslide Alert Amid Floods And Rain

A landslide warning has been issued by the Met Office, as continued heavy downpours sparked fears of unstable cliff faces. Boxing Day walkers were urged to take extra care in "dangerous conditions" with flooding set to worsen across parts of England and Wales today. The Met Office has issued the warning following advice from the British Geological Survey. Forecasters said coastal areas in southwest England are in particular danger of collapsing cliff edges, but stressed that all areas with heavy rain are at risk. A spokesman for the Met Office said: "We have had such heavy and persistent rain fall over the last few days and weeks and that there is a danger of landslides and rockfall along the coast, even on coastal paths. "We are advising Boxing Day walkers in the southwest of England to take particular care in these dangerous conditions, especially those not familiar with the area.

"Do not get too close to the cliff edge or walk under the cliff face along the beach and remember that coastal paths could be impacted too." Many coastal paths have been closed over the last few weeks along the South West and train services have been disrupted by small coastal landslides. Weather experts said up to 15mm of rain fell across southwest England and south Wales, with up to 20mm expected again today. Sky weather presenter Sarah Pennock said there would be more heavy rainfall over some areas of the UK. She said: "The main event today is a band of rain already spreading into southwestern Ireland and Scotland. "This will dump up to an inch in places, will fall on already saturated ground and will exacerbate the risk of further flooding." The Environment Agency has 151 flood warnings in place, which urge residents to take immediate action against expected flooding. A further 252 less severe flood alerts have been issued across most of England and Wales.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has removed all its warnings, with lighter showers expected only through the southwest of the country. Around 470 properties have flooded since Wednesday, while Floodline revealed it has received 18,000 calls during the recent wet weather. The worst affected areas have been southwest England and stretches along the south coast from Cornwall to Kent, along with Wales and northern Scotland.

http://news.sky.com/story/1030209/weather-landslide-alert-amid-floods-and-rain

50 days of rain expected by the weekend

RAIN-lashed Britain will stay on severe flood alert until at least next week as fresh downpours bring more chaos to the country today. Eight inches of rain – the equivalent of a month-and-a-half rainfall – is expected before Saturday. More than 400 flood warnings across the country remain in place . Last night thousands of families were forced to abandon their homes to take refuge elsewhere . The areas likely to bear the brunt of violent storms sweeping in off the Atlantic are northern Scotland, Wales and a swathe of the south coast from Cornwall to Kent. Gale-force winds could severely damage buildings and forecasters warn wind and rain could last into the middle of January. Last night Jonathan Powell, of Vantage Weather Services, said: “ We are expecting up to eight inches of rain and with ground so saturated this will trigger more serious flooding.

“Heavy and persistent downpours will hit every single day without any sign of a break at least until the weekend, with strong gusts of 80mph just making things worse. †The Environment Agency has warned those living in Cornwall, Devon and Somerset where the ground is saturated to be extra vigilant. Those living near the rivers Severn, Ouse, Trent, Avon and Thames are particularly at risk. The Met Office said almost an inch of rain hit the South-west on Christmas Eve, making it one of the wettest Christmases in 100 years. Forecaster Helen Chivers said: “There is further risk of flooding and travel disruption as the rain will be fairly heavy and persistent. â€

Netweather forecaster Paul Michaelwaite said: “Boxing Day should see a good deal of the showers easing but it’s only a temporary lull with more wet and windy weather arriving from the south west later in the day.†However, there was one reason to be cheerful in the UK after it rained on Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, during Christmas Day. The downpour meant the beach – usually awash with sunbathers, surfers and barbecues – was almost deserted as temperatures fell to just 63F (17C).

http://beta.dailyexpress.co.uk/news/uk/367044/50-days-of-rain-expected-by-the-weekend

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  • Location: HANDSWORTH BIRMINGHAM B21. 130MASL. 427FT.
  • Weather Preferences: WINTERS WITH HEAVY DISRUPTIVE SNOWFALL AVRAGE SPRING HOT SUMMERS.
  • Location: HANDSWORTH BIRMINGHAM B21. 130MASL. 427FT.

for once jonathan powell got something rite.

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  • Location: Wildwood, Stafford 104m asl
  • Weather Preferences: obviously snow!
  • Location: Wildwood, Stafford 104m asl

for once jonathan powell got something rite.

They would get it right if they are mentioning rain and floods, will only get it wrong if they say cold

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  • Location: Darlington
  • Weather Preferences: Warm dry summers
  • Location: Darlington

WSI have updated there winter forecast today

Weather Services International: Milder Interlude in January across UK/Western Europe Followed by Colder Weather in February

Fluctuating Winter Temperatures to Continue

Andover, MA, December 26, 2012 — WSI (Weather Services International) expects temperatures for the upcoming period (January-March) to average slightly lower than normal across the UK and parts of western Europe and Norway, with higher-than-normal temperatures expected across other regions, especially southeast Europe and western Russia.

“The very cold early December weather pattern is relenting, especially across western Europe, as a milder and wetter westerly flow regime returns,†said Dr. Todd Crawford, WSI Chief Meteorologist. “With the exception of the Nordic Region, we do not expect much in the way of sustained cold weather in January. However, heading into February, it appears that the risk of cold weather returning will increase. Recent and expected trends in the stratosphere and in the tropical Pacific (Madden-Julian Oscillation) are both favorable for a transition back to an atmospheric blocking pattern late in January and into February.â€

In January, WSI forecasts:

Nordic Region* – Colder than normal

UK* – Warmer than normal

Northern Mainland* – Warmer than normal

Southern Mainland* – Warmer than normal

In February, WSI forecasts:

Nordic Region – Colder than normal

UK – Colder than normal

Northern Mainland – Warmer than normal

Southern Mainland – Warmer than normal

In March, WSI forecasts:

Nordic Region – Warmer than normal

UK – Cooler than normal

Northern Mainland – Cooler than normal, except far eastern sections

Southern Mainland – Cooler than normal, except far eastern sections

http://www.wsi.com/d7607983-f326-4641-b31e-0dacdd6d4b8a/news-scheduled-forecast-release-details.htm

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  • Location: Darlington
  • Weather Preferences: Warm dry summers
  • Location: Darlington

The met office have updated there contingency planners forecast for December

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/publicsector/contingency-planners

All relevant links are at the bottom of the page

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  • Location: Darlington
  • Weather Preferences: Warm dry summers
  • Location: Darlington

Atlantic storm to hit Britain bringing another two inches of rain and 60mph winds before the New Year

  • Flooding expected across Britain, with 312 warnings and alerts out
  • Cold weather front expected to sweep in at 6am tomorrow
  • The South West, Midlands and Anglia still most at risk
  • Commuters returning to work hit by floods and rail problems
  • Thames Barrier closed for first time since 2010

Britain is once again facing torrential downpours as an Atlantic storm makes its way to the UK bringing with it more flooding. After this morning's deluges across the South and East Anglia forecasters say there will be a temporary reprieve before the rain comes back with a vengeance tonight. Heavy rain will spread from the South West at midnight tonight, covering most parts of the country by 9am and the scenes will be repeated on Saturday morning. The storm, heading in from Iceland, is expected to bring two inches of rain before New Year's Eve, marking the end of a dramatic year that has seen severe droughts and widespread flooding. Sleet and snow will also fall across the north of England and southern Scotland today, with Perth receiving a few centimetres this morning already. With many areas already saturated, the prospect of more heavy showers means there may be further flooding in the next week.

The Environment Agency has closed the Thames Barrier in a bid to prevent further flooding. The Woolwich Reach barrier, which opened in 1982, was last closed in March 2010. A spokesman for the agency said the barrier was expected to be closed by 11.15am and would reopen again by 3pm, News Shopper reported. The South West of England remains the worst affected and forecasters have warned of 'dangerous conditions' in coastal areas. The Environment Agency has issued 109 flood warnings and 213 less serious flood alerts for the UK as the risk of flooding continues. However, the agency has removed 76 flood warnings and alerts in the last 24 hours. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has one flood alert in place around the Scottish Borders. Rail and road networks were badly hit in the days leading up to Christmas, with a number of key routes struck by weather-related delays and National Rail warned of further disruption in the south-west today. First Great Western trains today told people not to attempt travel today.

Hundreds of homes have flooded in the past week, with the worst-affected areas in South West. England and along the south coast from Cornwall to Kent, along with Wales and northern Scotland. The sodden Christmas comes towards the end of what is expected to be one of the wettest years in Britain since records began. The UK's average rainfall in 2012, excluding December, was 1,202mm - placing it 13th in the list of wettest years since records began in 1910. Back in April that barely seemed imaginable with Britain in the midst of the worst drought since 1976. More than 20million people were subject to a hosepipe ban as the Environment Agency drew up contingency plans believing the drought could last until Christmas. But after the wettest summer in 100 years, Britain's climate swung back the other way.

Professor Tim Palmer, from the University of Oxford, told the BBC the topsy-turvy conditions are the result of changes in the movement of the Atlantic jet stream which travels to our shores from America. 'When the jet stream moves up to the north, and then travels back down to the UK, it brings with it cold air, blizzards, very severe and unpleasant weather from that perspective,' he said. Professor Palmer predicted Britain will see more extreme patterns of weather with periods of drought followed by flooding and cold weather as the jet stream continues to be affected by climate change. 'The question of how it will change is still a very active research problem, and we don't have clear-cut answers yet. 'But I think there is quite a big possibility that what we will see is the jet stream undergoing quite dramatic and erratic excursions.'

http://www.dailymail...l#ixzz2GGTCRRNz

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  • Location: Poole, Dorset 42m ASL
  • Location: Poole, Dorset 42m ASL

Meridian news tonight on a report about Lychett Minster school fire".... shortly after 6 o'clock this morning there was a loud crash of thunder followed by a flash of lightening..."

Really that's a first!

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Posted
  • Location: Darlington
  • Weather Preferences: Warm dry summers
  • Location: Darlington

It’s our wettest year in history

FLOOD-ravaged Britain faces a “nightmare end†to 2012 with 10 inches of rain and fierce gales of up to 100mph. It will bring a dramatic close to what the Met Office last night revealed has been the wettest year in England since records began in 1910. The relentless deluge which brought Christmas misery to much of the UK is unlikely to ease until New Year’s Day as violent storms roar in from the Atlantic. Temperatures are also set to plummet, with strong winds and snow likely to trigger ­blizzards in the North and Scotland. Jonathan Powell, forecaster for Vantage Weather Services, said: “There are three swathes of low pressure due to sweep across the country from Friday and they keep coming until the end of the year.

“It is an absolute nightmare end to 2012. We could see 10 inches of rain fall by the end of the year, along with fierce winds which could hit 100mph along coastal regions and 70mph inland.†The Met Office last night issued severe weather warnings for heavy rain and strong winds in the South, South-west and parts of the North to last until New Year’s Eve. It warned that a band of persistent heavy rain will sweep across the country from today, triggering another bout of ­devastating floods. Weathermen said England has already had 43 inches (1096mm) of rain in 2012, making it the wettest year in history. Fifty-one inches (1291mm) has fallen across Britain as a whole, currently making it the fourth wettest year ever. However, with more rain still to come 2012 is closing in on the record 52 inches (1337mm) that fell in the year 2000.

http://beta.dailyexpress.co.uk/news/uk/367342/It-s-our-wettest-year-in-history

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  • Location: Darlington
  • Weather Preferences: Warm dry summers
  • Location: Darlington

STORM CHAOS TO RUIN NEW YEAR

THREE days of torrential rain and 80mph gales will bring a stormy end to the wettest year on record. The entire country faces a New Year weekend washout with heavy downpours and strong winds, forecasters warned last night. And the seemingly never-ending rain will continue into next week, ruining the New Year’s Eve celebrations for many. The grim weather forecast comes as many areas are still struggling to cope with the past fortnight’s devastating floods. The Met Office last night issued severe weather warnings for torrential rain in the South until Monday with more serious amber alerts for strong winds in the North-west. The entire country faces a New Year weekend washout with heavy downpours and strong winds, forecasters warned last night. And the seemingly never-ending rain will continue into next week, ruining the New Year’s Eve celebrations for many. It warned parts of the country left under feet of water after the recent floods can expect further showers over the next few days.

Forecaster Charlie Powell said: “We are seeing some wet and windy weather over the next couple of days and so have warnings out in the North-west and the South-west up until New Year’s Eve. “We are also looking at severe gales with another band of rain coming through on Friday night and into Saturday. Some of the rain will be quite persistent, with more to come on Sunday in some parts. “We are looking at some very wet and windy conditions to end the year.†The stormy forecast comes as official figures confirm this year has already seen the most rainfall in England since records began in 1910. Fifty-one inches (1,291mm) have fallen across Britain as a whole so far, making it the fourth wettest year ever for the whole nation. The Met Office said another 1.8in across Britain in the last few days of December will make it the wettest year in UK history. Torrential rain expected over the next few days is likely to tip the balance, breaking the record set in 2000.

Jonathan Powell, forecaster for Vantage Weather Services, said another 10 inches of rain was likely before the end of the year. Forecaster Paul Michaelwaite said: “With yet more rain to come before the year’s out, if another 46mm of rain falls on average over the UK we could see the wettest year on record.

http://beta.dailyexpress.co.uk/news/uk/367563/Storm-chaos-to-ruin-New-Year

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Posted
  • Location: Darlington
  • Weather Preferences: Warm dry summers
  • Location: Darlington

New Year sploshout!

TORRENTIAL rain, hurricane-force winds and nationwide flood warnings will see out 2012 as it becomes Britain’s wettest year on record. Today will register more prolonged downpours and 85mph winds, threatening more misery with homes in danger from overflowing rivers and road and rail networks disrupted. Up to two inches of rain on already heavily saturated ground over coming days may also see 2012 declared as the wettest ever in the UK. It is already the wettest ever in England. However, forecasters say that new year revellers will be able to welcome in 2013 with a spell of dry weather as the rain eases tomorrow night. It comes as Britain begins to count the cost of the floods, with the disruption costing the country as much as £13billion. Research by insurers, tourism chiefs, farmers, industry and transport firms, estimates the floods alone have cost £3billion this year.

Last night there were still 310 flood warnings and alerts in place, spread across England and Wales. Weather forecasting service Meteo-Group said the UK was set to be hit by heavy rain and 85mph winds. However, forecaster Matt Dobson said New Year’s Eve may be better for some. He said: “On the big evening itself it looks like many parts of England and Wales will have a dry evening by the time it gets to midnight, but, in Scotland and for the North it will be windy with heavy showers.†Analysis indicates the summer floods cost £10billion, with tourism suffering losses of £3billion; lost working hours a further £2billion; increased transport costs up to £2billion; retail sales down by £1billion and flood impacts, cancelled events, farming and other losses amounting to £2billion. Tim Ohlenburg, senior economist at the Centre for Economics and Business Research, said: “Floods have a very serious impact on local economies and impact outdoor, tourism and seasonal goods businesses. Just an hour’s nationwide transport delay costs a large amount in lost productivity. Some businesses operate on very low margins and could suffer.†Forecasters said yesterday only 1.8 inches of rain was needed for the UK’s current record of 50.8 to be broken.

http://beta.dailyexp...-Year-sploshout

Relief at last! We're set for a dry night on New Year's Eve, but not before more high winds and two inches of rain today

After a year dominated by rain, 2012 could actually end on a dry note. Although more downpours are predicted today, organisers of New Year’s Eve firework parties have been told they can look forward to a mostly clear evening. At Bideford, North Devon, where 10,000 revellers are expected to attend a James Bond-themed event, spokesman Steve Clarke said: ‘It’s great news. Our party is nine months in the planning and to see everyone get soaked to the skin would have been awful. People come here from all over the world.’ For the UK’s three big showpiece events – Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland, and the London Eye fireworks display – the news is equally good. Weathermen say wet conditions could linger in London and the South East during the day, but should clear by the time revellers venture out.


However, night-time temperatures will be well down on last year, when southern England enjoyed a balmy 10C (50F) – warmer than Morocco. Much of northern Britain can expect a frost, while the South will see a noticeable dip to around 4C (39F). Before the party starts, though, forecasters have warned of high winds and a possible 2in of rainfall. Wales, the South West and Scotland are expected to be worst hit and the Environment Agency has issued more than 330 flood warnings and alerts. Met Office forecaster Helen Roberts said staff had already declared 2012 as England’s wettest year on record, while further rain today could see the all-time UK record beaten. Just 1.8 in of rain is needed by midnight on Monday to overtake the 52.6 in of rain recorded in 2000. The good news is that New Year’s Day should be dry.


http://www.dailymail...l#ixzz2GWoNhPXo

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Posted
  • Location: Darlington
  • Weather Preferences: Warm dry summers
  • Location: Darlington

BBC weather for the week ahead

Drier for all

Less windy

High pressure establishes its self over the UK turning very mild by Friday with highs of 14c possible

Limited sunshine best of the breaks in the east

The best forecast in a long time

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Posted
  • Location: Hale, Halton Cheshire
  • Location: Hale, Halton Cheshire

Looks like a bartlett setting up shop by the end of next week, some thing I was afraid might happen in January, just hope it can be pushed out of the way pronto

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Posted
  • Location: Darlington
  • Weather Preferences: Warm dry summers
  • Location: Darlington

Looks like a bartlett setting up shop by the end of next week, some thing I was afraid might happen in January, just hope it can be pushed out of the way pronto

At least it will enable every where to dry out and give the rivers time to recede, I've gone a tone of work to do in the Garden as well so from Tuesday I'll be catching up hopefully!

:)

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  • Location: Eastbourne, East Sussex (work in Mid Sussex)
  • Location: Eastbourne, East Sussex (work in Mid Sussex)

Bring a brolly! 250,000 revellers expected to gather under their umbrellas along banks of Thames as wet New Year's Eve is forecast

  • Display of pyrotechnics and lights to focus on London Eye to greet 2013
  • But some areas will battle to cope with 1.3 inches of predicted rain today
  • Just 1.8 inches needed by end of day to make it wettest year ever for UK
  • However start of 2013 expected to bring much desired respite from rain
Posted Image

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2255179/250-000-revellers-expected-gather-umbrellas-banks-Thames-wet-New-Years-Eve-forecast.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

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Posted
  • Location: Darlington
  • Weather Preferences: Warm dry summers
  • Location: Darlington

New Year’s repriEve... then it’ll pour more Good grief! It may be dry tonight

HERE’S some news to cheer you up — it’s going to stop raining in time to see in the New Year. But don’t put away your wellies yet... the dry spell won’t last long. For most of today it’s going to be wet, and on Wednesday we are all in for another soaking, according to forecasters. So make the most of tonight and tomorrow. SNOW was forecast over higher ground in the Pennines and Lake District last night. There were GALES in Cumbria and the Llyn Peninsula in West Wales. And the Thames, Severn and Wye rivers are expected to remain high for days. There are still 191 FLOOD ALERTS and 79 warnings in place. Mobile flood barriers have gone up in Oxford, Worcester, Shrewsbury, Shropshire and Bewdley, Worcs. One couple in Gloucestershire have been forced to canoe to and from their home. Laurence King and Katherine Noble’s two-bed cottage is surrounded by 6ft of water in the village of Tirley.

They delivered Christmas presents in the canoe and paddle to their car parked on dry land 150ft away each morning to commute to work. Civil engineer Laurence, 49, said: “You haven’t got a choice. You either sit in the house and climb the walls or you get on and try to carry on as normal.†Also in Gloucestershire, 60 horses were last night marooned on a tiny island for the second time in a month. The owner has led some to safety — but locals in Over Causeway are worried for the other animals. Meanwhile, Mayor of London Boris Johnson will be hoping the rain stops as tens of thousands of people descend on Trafalgar Square and Parliament Square. There will also be a free fireworks display at the London Eye. According to the Met Office, just 46mm of rain is needed to fall by the end of today to make this year the wettest on record for the UK, with 1,291.2mm between January 1 and Boxing Day.

Bookmakers William Hill are offering odds of 5/1 on 2013 being even wetter.

http://www.thesun.co...l#ixzz2GdzbPNxH

Holiday family marooned for week by floods

ONE family’s attempt to get away from it all at Christmas saw them cut off for a week in an isolated cottage as flood waters swirled around them. Twelve members of the Hughes family and their pet dog arrived at the holiday property in Uckinghall, Worcs, on December 22. But as the excited party, including four young children, settled in, the swollen River Severn burst its banks.Torrential rain continued and by Christmas Day they were totally cut off. It was not until Saturday that a West Midlands Search and Rescue team finally reached the group, including a two-and-a-half-year-old toddler, and brought them to safety, days after their food and drink supplies ran out. It will be another fortnight before they can recover their four cars. Last night relieved Simon Hughes, 44, of Melksham, Wilts., said: “Before we arrived I was told the lane was prone to flooding. I think the word ‘puddle’ was used. We all kept our eyes on a five bar gate – and one by one each rung was slowly disappearing.â€

Mr Hughes and his brother-in-law were so determined to make it to the pub in the aptly-named nearby village of Ripple they waded chest-deep through floodwater for a pint. But villagers only realised how serious the families’ plight had later become when a local went past by boat. Mr Hughes added: “We kept going with a Dunkirk spirit and lots of parlour games. The only disappointment was that we ran out of gin. It was a Christmas none of us will forget in a hurry.†Last night nearly 300 flood warnings remain in place across the country. The Environment Agency handed out sandbags to those living by the Thames near Windsor Castle. Britain is set for several inches of rain today accompanied by winds of up to 80mph. But tomorrow will see a dry and fine start to 2013.

http://beta.dailyexp...-week-by-floods

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  • Location: Darlington
  • Weather Preferences: Warm dry summers
  • Location: Darlington

A good start to 2013: Rain will finally clear from most of UK before tonight's New Year Eve celebrations

Revellers across the UK will tonight welcome in the New Year as the country is battered by more downpours to compound what is likely to be one of the wettest years on record. Forecasters are advising Britons to bring umbrellas to celebrations as 2012 draws to a wet close - although most of the rain should clear London by 9pm, giving hope that it could be dry by midnight. A crowd of 250,000 is expected in viewing areas along the River Thames for Mayor of London Boris Johnson’s display - and there will also be large numbers of people attending the Edinburgh fireworks

A GOOD START TO 2013'S WEATHER

Temperatures will initially be above average with nights being frost-free as 2013 begins. Met Office forecaster Dan Williams said: 'As of tomorrow, the weather will get nicer. 'It is sure to provide welcome respite from the unsettled weather we saw throughout December, and indeed the whole of 2012. 'To the north and west, there will be patches of rain here and there, but nothing like we've seen recently. 'The mild weather continues through to mid-January. The north and west may see some occasional rain but the majority of England will be largely dry.'

http://www.dailymail...l#ixzz2Ge1LkCWC

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  • Location: Darlington
  • Weather Preferences: Warm dry summers
  • Location: Darlington

Centuries-old bridge washed away in deluge that never ends

TORRENTIAL rain battered Britain last night – bringing a soggy end to one of the wettest years on record and threatening to dampen New Year’s Eve celebrations to ring in 2013. Up to 1.3 inches of rain was forecast in areas of Wales and the south of England. Hundreds of Environment Agency staff were still out in force, monitoring river levels and shoring up defences. More than 800 had already worked round the clock all over Christmas. The relentless deluge means today’s annual meeting at Cheltenham Racecourse has had to be cancelled because the track is waterlogged. Drivers everywhere are urged to be careful and to check for flood alerts via the Environment Agency website. In West Sussex there were warnings about the increasing number and size of hidden potholes. Flooding and saturated ground has heightened the risk of landslips along parts of the Jurassic Coast in Dorset. One significant casualty of the downpour has been the medieval Tarr Steps clapper bridge on Exmoor.

Flood risk manager Pete Fox said: “People should continue to keep up to date with the latest flooding updates.†Meanwhile yesterday, NFU president Peter Kendall said last year’s extreme weater worldwide has left UK farmers facing a £1.3billion “black holeâ€. He added: “Extreme weather will certainly also require fresh thinking from agricultural policy makers and the whole food supply chain to ensure that our farmers can adapt and our food supply is resilient.†Britain is due for a respite from the constant rainfall, however. Forecasters predict the downpours will tail off as the weather stabilises for the beginning of 2013.

http://beta.dailyexpress.co.uk/news/uk/368016/Centuries-old-bridge-washed-away-in-deluge-that-never-ends

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Posted
  • Location: Darlington
  • Weather Preferences: Warm dry summers
  • Location: Darlington

A BRIDGE TOO TARR

ONE of Britain’s oldest river crossings was swept away yesterday as the year ended with more heavy rain and flooding. The 1,000-year-old Tarr Steps Bridge on Exmoor disintegrated after it was battered by weeks of downpours. More than 200 flood alerts were still in place last night with 89 warnings across Wales, the north-east and the midlands. The Met Office predicted that there would be some let-up in the rain for the south and west in the new year but Scotland and the north would see further falls.

http://www.dailystar...ridge-too-Tarr/

Sunny start to the year! Britain finally sees break in the clouds as warm and dry conditions replace ice and floods for 2013

  • Temperatures will be three or four degrees warmer for the next two weeks
  • Revellers and early morning walkers welcomed January's first rays today
  • The dry weather follows the wettest year on record in England

After a bitterly cold and incessantly rainy end to 2012, it's finally drying up for the start of the New Year. Many families spent the end of December cleaning up after flooding and struggling to travel because of impassable roads and cancelled transport services. But after the wettest year on record, the outlook is far brighter for 2013, with temperatures leaping by four degrees and the rain staying mostly away for the start of January. New Year's Day revellers and early morning walkers enjoyed dry weather and looked forward with excitement to the clear skies ahead. Britain is set to bask in sunny spells and temperatures of up to 14C for the next few weeks - in sharp contrast to a soggy and icy December. A Met Office spokesman said: 'It is looking drier for the first few days of January, people will be pleased to hear. It will get 3-4 degrees warmer, so it's a bit of a bounce. 'I'm sure it will be very welcome in comparison to November and December, which were excessively wet. 'There will be a few showers later today in western and northern parts of the UK and the Scottish Highlands, but in general it will be a decent day to walk off the excesses of last night. 'Temperatures will be 6 to 8C - so fairly chilly - but bright.

It will be a cold night after -1 or -2C, with a touch of frost, but only Scotland and Northern Ireland need expect much rain, and that will be light and patchy. 'Tomorrow will be fairly windy and chilly in the West, but most of the rain will be confined to the high ground in Scotland. 'It will be cloudy but milder on Thursday and Friday at 12-14C. 'There will be some higher pressure, but we're looking at mild temperatures in double figures and just a slightly increased chance of rain in the North and North-West. It's a similar story on Saturday, with perhaps an increased chance of mist and fog, but it is looking quiet and settled as we go into next week.' The year just gone is already the wettest year for England in the Met Office's records dating back to 1910, but forecasters are still waiting for the final figures to see whether it is the wettest on record for the UK. The latest data, for 1 January to 26 December, shows Britain has had 1291.2mm of rain for the UK – meaning it is currently the fourth wettest year on record. It is just 46.1mm short of the record of 1337.3mm, set in 2000, so if 46.2 mm of rain has fallen between 27-31 December, we will have a new record.

http://www.dailymail...l#ixzz2GjaStdyE

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Posted
  • Location: The North Kent countryside
  • Weather Preferences: Hot summers, snowy winters and thunderstorms!
  • Location: The North Kent countryside

Not weather a such but a new series of Nature's Greatest Events starts tonight at 8pm on BBC2.

I know a lot of people enjoyed the first series, so apologies if this is in the wrong place.

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