Great British summer on hold as June forecast to be wettest ever

DESPITE British temperatures soaring to Mediterranean highs earlier this month, it seems that summer is now on hold, with June odds on to be the wettest on record and the country being told to expect a deluge of rain.

Met Office forecasters have issued yellow weather warnings for the coming week, with England set to see four days of rain, including 20 hours of continual downpours today that could cause flooding in the South East.

Simon Partridge, of the Met Office, said: “There’s potential for floods any- where east from Oxfordshire, extending down to the coast.

“There’s weather warnings from Monday to Wednesday and starting from 4am, there will be 20 hours of rain in some places.”

Around a month’s rain could fall within 24 hours today in downpours across southern England.

Mr Partridge added: “Across this region we could see 40-60 millimetres (1.5-2.4in) of rain and [temperatures of ] about 14-15C (57-59F), but it will feel colder due to rain.

“England will see showers for much of the week. Scotland, in particular the west coast, will have the best of the weather for a change, with [temperatures of ] up to 18C (64F).

“Heavy and persistent rain will continue for many, particularly across the east with thundery showers, especially in the South.

“The driest and brightest weather will be found across the North West. It will be often cool and windy across the country.” From tomorrow, the rain was forecast to move into the North East and the West Midlands, where it would last until Thursday, Mr Partridge said.

“It is unusual that the weather is coming in from the South East – it’s very slow moving and won’t just fizzle out,” he added.

This week will potentially see temperatures reaching just 66F (19C), a marked shift from the highs of over 82F (28C) seen in London last Monday.

Bookmakers have said that this year could be the wettest on record, with odds of 25-1 of it raining on every day of the Wimbledon championships.

“We’re getting towards the half way point of June now and it’s been an incredibly wet month so far,” said Harry Aitkenhead, of Coral. “The latest wet and wild weather means that we make it odds on to be the wettest on record.

“While we should get a warm summer overall it’s impossible to ignore the regular rain and we’re taking bets on Wimbledon this year.”