Mercury rises again as pubs and restaurants reopen at weekend
THE scorching summer heat from last week will return in time for Saturday’s so-called Independence Day – when pubs and restaurants are allowed to reopen.
Temperatures are due to peak at 75F (24C) on July 4 in London, with pleasant weather elsewhere.
However, the nation was warned it must endure almost a week of incessant rain before the weekend.
The Met Office predicted flooding, train delays and power cuts as northern regions were battered by heavy downpours yesterday.
Honister Pass, near Buttermere in the Lake District, set a new June daily rainfall record with more than 8in falling in the 24 hours up to 10am on Monday.
Flooding “of homes and businesses” across Cumbria was likely, while spray and flooding on roads last night threatened to affect power supplies in the north west.
The deluge came after storms ravaged the entire country last weekend as the blistering heatwave came to a shuddering halt.
A second band of rain is set to move in from the south as the week goes on, meaning more showers and 40mph gusts for many.
Things start to improve in southern sections of the country on Thursday with temperatures rising to highs of 71F.
A Met Office spokesman said it was hoped the “changeable weather” could bring sunnier spells and warmer temperatures.
He added: “There will be an unsettled period this week. Low pressure is dominating the country.
“Thursday will probably be the best day of the week. Changeable weather will probably continue through the first weekend of July.
“The rain may become more confined to the west and north west with the best of any drier, brighter weather more likely across the South and East of the UK.
“Into next week there are signs that the weather may become drier, more settled and warmer again, particularly for southern and many central parts.”