Britain braced for coldest August bank holiday ever after a week of downpours
THIS bank holiday weekend could be the coldest on record, forecasters have warned.
Temperatures are expected to plummet well below the average for this time of year.
It comes as torrential rain and flooding brought misery yesterday as thunderstorms swept in across the country.
Now, a year on from the hottest August bank holiday on record, forecasters warned that this Monday could be the coldest.
Meteorologist Emma Salter said: “We could see some places getting the coldest maximum temperatures on record this bank holiday Monday.
“The lowest maximum temperature recorded was 50F (10C) in the Shetland Islands. If anywhere gets lower than that it’s in the running to be the coldest on record.”
Bookmakers also believe it could be the coldest late summer bank holiday since records began.
Coral said it was making this Monday odds on to be the UK’s coldest ever.
Coral’s Harry Aitkenhead said: “This time last year we saw temperatures of over 86F (30C) but it couldn’t be more different now. We’re headed for the coldest August bank holiday ever.”
Heavy showers all week have already brought major problems on the roads.
Flash floods in parts of Surrey have created difficult driving conditions and road closures.
Warnings
Road closures were also reported in Kingston, south-west London.
And a video shared on Twitter showed motorists struggling to get through flooded areas of Glasgow, with cars half-submerged in water.
The Met Office has issued further weather warnings as downpours are likely to persist overnight, which could bring localised flooding and travel disruption.
A yellow warning for heavy rain has been placed over north-east England, while thunderstorms also hit parts of southern England and South Wales yesterday.
Meanwhile, signs of autumn have begun to appear in gardens two weeks earlier than usual, the Royal Horticultural Society said.
RHS horticulturist Guy Barter said: “This summer’s mixed bag of weather phenomena has had some surprising results in our gardens, both good and bad.
“We are seeing some of the signs that typically suggest autumn is on the way earlier than usual, but it is still too early to say what long-term effect this might have.”