Environment & Climate
Unsettled bank holiday weather brings flood alerts across England
Forecasters warn of heavy rain, thunderstorms, and unseasonably strong winds even as much of England remains in drought.
The short version
- The Met Office and Environment Agency have issued weather warnings and flood alerts across England and Wales for the bank holiday weekend.
- Despite the incoming downpours, 71.3% of England remains in an official drought following an exceptionally dry summer.
- Travel disruptions and windy conditions are expected to impact commuters, holidaymakers, and major music festival attendees.
Key facts
- The Environment Agency issued 16 flood alerts across the Midlands and South Yorkshire, having earlier issued and then removed a more severe flood warning in Nelson, Lancashire.[The Guardian]
- A Met Office yellow thunderstorm warning for Friday covered inland Wales and parts of England from the Severn to the Wash, extending north to Teesside and Lancashire.[The Guardian]
- National Rail reported train disruptions on Friday heading towards London from Knebworth due to flood water on the tracks.[The Guardian]
- Festivalgoers at events such as Reading, Leeds, and Creamfields have been warned to prepare for unseasonably strong winds.[The Guardian]
- According to the Environment Agency, 71.3% of England remains in a drought, with August receiving only 34% of its expected rainfall prior to the weekend storms.[The Guardian]
Sources
- England braces for flooding as thunderstorms forecast in parts of UKThe Guardian - World