COLDER THAN CHRISTMAS
Brits chill out as Polar Plunge hits bank hol
A “POLAR Plunge” has left Brits shivering in the coldest August bank holiday for decades – although revellers still braved temperatures lower than last Christmas to keep on partying.
IT’S colder than Christmas as Brits shiver in one of the chilliest August bank holiday weekends for half a century.
Beaches have been abandoned by sun-seekers with temperatures hitting highs of just 10C to 18C today.
That is a full 5C below average – caused by a 500-mile “Polar Plunge” sweeping the nation.
Incredibly, Britain is colder than 21C Moscow, while almost all parts are chillier than Christmas week’s 18.7C, recorded in Scotland on December 28.
It is also more than 15C lower than last year’s 33.2C hottest-ever August bank holiday.
The Weather Outlook forecaster Brian Gaze said: “Summer is ending early with a dank holiday and temperatures not out of place in October.”
The Met Office forecast highs of only 11C today in Scotland’s central Highlands.
Storm
That would make it the coldest late August bank holiday for 49 years.
And bookies have slashed odds on it being the coldest on record, with Ladbrokes giving it a 5/4 shot.
Alex Apati from Ladbrokes said: “Britain’s beaches will look something like a ghost town in the next 24 hours with a record-breaking cold August bank holiday on the cards.”
There is further bad news on the way with Hurricane Laura, which had 150mph winds and killed six in Louisiana in the US, expected to regain power as it spins across the Atlantic.
Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna said: “Incredibly, Hurricane Laura has a chance of regaining tropical storm status in the North Atlantic.”
The Environment Agency has warned of rain for most, with floods in the north west.