Storms, road chaos & strikes hit long weekend

YOU know the drill for the usual Bank Holiday washout, but be warned – this time it is going to get messy.

Showers across the country today and thunderstorms in the South East overnight will drench crowds flocking to the Notting Hill Carnival in London, or camping at the Reading & Leeds Festivals.

And millions setting off for a short staycation should pack brollies, macs and wellies because tomorrow looks even worse.

MeteoGroup forecaster Helen Rossington said: “We’re definitely not on for a heat wave. Sunday’s a bit of a messy one. There’s a band of rain from Cornwall up to Lincolnshire, and anywhere through the Midlands will be miserable with plenty of rain.”

But the long weekend should end on a brighter note, with Monday “looking a lot better” and forecast to be largely dry with sunny spells.

Transport chaos is also on the cards with 13 million drivers on the road this weekend and train drivers are staging a walkout causing severe disruption to services in the South West.

Engineering works on the West Coast Main Line will also hit services in key locations, including Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and Glasgow.

And heading overseas will not necessarily guarantee a hassle-free weekend – with luggage security scanner operators at Stansted airport set to walk out on Monday in a row over pay.

But millions of hardy Brits are determined to enjoy the weekend against the odds – as 44% plan a barbecue whatever the weather, a poll for garden furniture firm Alfresia found.