UK has its driest May for 124 years
Conditions likely to turn cooler from tomorrow
WEATHER: Britain has experienced its driest May for 124 years, the Met Office has confirmed, as warnings were issued for gardeners to avoid wasting water.
This spring has been the sunniest since 1929, with 573 hours of sunshine over the three months, beating the previous record set in 1948.
BRITAIN HAS experienced its driest May for 124 years, the Met Office has confirmed, as warnings were issued for gardeners to avoid wasting water.
This spring – classed as the period from March 1 until May 27 – has been the sunniest since 1929, with 573 hours of sunshine over the three months, beating the previous record set in 1948.
The weekend’s sunny weather saw crowds of people flock to beaches and beauty spots across England ahead of lockdown restrictions being eased yesterday.
The Met Office says it will be another sunny and warm day today, apart from parts of Scotland. But the unseasonably warm period will give way to more changeable weather.
Met Office meteorologist Marco Petagna said: “From (today) we are starting to see some more unsettled weather across Scotland and the gradual trend will be turning cooler across the UK from Wednesday onwards.”
The forecaster said northerly winds will bring cooler air and some areas in the south of England could experience thundery showers.
Beaches and beauty spots were busy over the weekend, and with indoor leisure destinations still
closed there were numerous issues surrounding anti-social behaviour in outdoor areas.
A youth had to be airlifted to hospital on Sunday after ‘tombstoning’ at Thomason Foss waterfalls, near Goathland, in the North York Moors, and there were two fires at Yorkshire Water reservoirs caused by abandoned disposable barbecues.
Both National Parks in Yorkshire were busy and large amounts of litter were discarded in areas such as Ilkley and Burnsall.
Some seaside towns and resorts, including Brighton, have called for powers to impose local lockdowns to deter visitors from causing problems.
One man died when a boat crewed by three men sank near Fleetwood, Lancashire, on Sunday. The other two were rescued.
Meanwhile, gardeners are being urged to avoid excessive use of sprinklers.
The Water UK charity fears there could be incidents of low water pressure following the dry May due to high demand.
In some areas, usage is 40 per cent above normal levels, particularly in the evenings.
Water UK has asked gardeners to stagger their watering throughout the day to reduce the pressure on the system.
After a wet winter, water levels in reservoirs are thought to be sufficient, with Yorkshire Water sites currently around threequarters full, and the risk of drought remains low.
Yorkshire Water has seen increases in water usage by people filling paddling pools, pressurewashing driveways and gardening during lockdown.
Water conservation tips have been published for households, including taking shorter showers and reusing water from paddling pools to water plants.
Water UK’s chief executive Christine McGourty said: “This record sunny weather is bringing record peak demands for water. Just small changes through the day will make all the difference.”
Just small changes through the day will make all the difference.
Christine McGourty, Water UK.