The United Kingdom is preparing for several days of thunderstorms following a sweltering weekend that saw areas of the country battling wildfires, but meteorologists warn that the change in weather is likely to bring more risk than respite.
Since January, fire, and rescue services have been battling a staggering number of fires across the nation, with the South East being one of the worst-affected districts.
Due to a lack of precipitation and high temperatures, a large portion of the country’s landscape has changed from green to brown and yellow.
In portions of the United Kingdom on Sunday, temperatures hovered above 30 degrees Celsius.
This warning has now expired, but temperatures on Monday might still reach 32 degrees Celsius in some locations before beginning to decline.
South West Water is the most recent water utility to announce a hosepipe restriction, which will take effect on August 23 throughout Cornwall and portions of Devon.
“This is the first time in 26 years when we have no other option. Now is the time for a hosepipe ban to conserve our precious water “A corporate spokesperson stated.
“We have made every effort to avert this restriction. Since the last drought in 1976, we have doubled the amount of water we can store.
We have opened reservoirs, drilled a new borehole, and strengthened our ability to transport water throughout the region to keep everyone’s faucets running.
Over the past two days, significant fires have been reported in portions of London, Kent, and Essex, and the weather has also led to instances of people getting into danger when swimming in lakes, rivers, and the ocean.
Since January, there has been virtually no precipitation in the South East, which has been the epicenter of an unprecedented number of wildfires around the nation.
Two males have been arrested on suspicion of arson in connection with a Sunday fire at Bawsey Country Park near King’s Lynn, Norfolk, which was caused by the “throwing” of a disposable barbeque into the forest.
Several services have described the recent demand as “extraordinary,” with Dorset stating that it responded to 180 wildfires in the first ten days of August, compared to only 34 last year.
And the four days of anticipated thunderstorms the following week are unlikely to provide any relief.
Instead, the driest conditions in over half a century, which have led to significantly lower water levels in reservoirs and the formal declaration of drought in eight regions of England on Saturday, may result in flooding.
The thunderstorms are anticipated to provide heavy precipitation, but it may be too soon.
According to geographers and meteorologists, the best form of precipitation to revive a dry planet would be a drizzle.
The Met Office has warned that the predicted downpours may cause unexpected flooding and perhaps power outages due to surface runoff rather than absorption by the parched land.
Thunderstorm watches are in effect to begin the week.
Dan Stroud, a forecaster at the Met Office, explained that “rain from extremely heavy downpours will not be able to swiftly soak into the parched ground.”
“It is exceedingly difficult for water to penetrate the earth because it must force the air out. Therefore, dry land becomes quickly saturated, resulting in surface runoff “he added.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for Scotland and Northern Ireland until 11:59 p.m. on Monday and until 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday for the entirety of England and Wales.
Power outages, rail and bus delays, and cancellations, as well as spray and sudden flooding, could create hazardous driving conditions for motorists.
The southwest and southeast of England are also subject to the third day of yellow warnings on Wednesday until 11:59 p.m.
“There is a slight probability that houses and businesses might be rapidly inundated, with some structures suffering damage from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail, or severe winds,” the report stated.
“When flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a potential that railway and bus services will be delayed or canceled.
There is a minor possibility that power outages and other services to certain homes and businesses will occur.
