Storms and Floods Warned as Heatwave Breaks
Forecasters warned of thunderstorms and flash flooding as the latest heatwave broke on Tuesday, with yellow storm warnings issued for parts of Scotland, northern England and Northern Ireland and an amber heat-health alert still in force in the south. The rain, however, was expected largely to miss the driest southern regions, where the drought is worst. Farmers urged ministers to prioritise water for growing food.
The abrupt swing from record heat to storms is characteristic of Britain’s increasingly volatile summers, and the danger is that downpours on sun-baked ground run off as flash floods rather than soaking in to refill reservoirs. July was the driest on record for England and Wales, and much of the country remains in drought with hosepipe bans spreading. The farmers’ union warned that the water shortage threatens crops and could push up food prices. The relief the storms bring may prove uneven and short-lived. Watch where the rain falls and whether the drought eases at all.