UK Met office says predicted heavy rains 'won't solve drought overnight'

LONDON: Britain’s Met Office forecast heavy rain in parts of the country on Wednesday, offering some relief after weeks of high temperatures and dry weather left much of England in drought.

The Met Office said parts of the country could see a "very showery day," with Northern Ireland and western and central Scotland facing frequent showers, heavy downpours, hail and thunder.

Showers were expected to be "fewer and further between" in southern areas, although parts of central England and eastern Wales could still see downpours.

Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern said Thursday could bring "very heavy rain" across northern England and Wales, with frequent showers in the southwest.

But the rainfall would be "hit and miss" and "very speckled in nature."

While people would "at least enjoy the feel of some rain falling out of the sky" this week, he said it would not be a huge amount and was "not going to solve the drought situation overnight."

The rain comes after five heatwaves since May left green spaces parched, created dangerous wildfire conditions and triggered hosepipe bans for millions.

Drought grips England

Some 71.3% of England was in drought as of Aug 10, according to the UK government, following the country's driest July on record.

"Almost three-quarters of England is now in drought as conditions worsen following a dry start to August," the environment department said, as parts of the central Midlands and northeast England joined other areas of the country experiencing prolonged dry weather.

England recorded just 10% of its long-term average rainfall in July, while Wales also experienced its driest July on record, according to the Met Office.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) said most of England is experiencing a "flash drought," which develops quickly and results from very low rainfall and high temperatures.

The government has imposed irrigation restrictions on farmers and introduced hosepipe bans in some regions, with more than 27 million people in England now under water-use restrictions.

There are now around 45 million people living in drought-affected areas, according to official figures.

“We know the hot and dry weather is taking a real toll on farming and there will be long-lasting impacts on our environment,” said Tony Grayling, head of the National Drought Group at the Environment Agency.