09/07/2008 02:37:00
A deluge of rain greets UK residents and travellers in the second week of July.
Forecasts for today, Wednesday 9 July, predict a rainfall of up to 75mm in south Wales, Devon and Cornwall - more than the average July monthly rainfall for the country. The Telegraph reports that expected rain clouds have prompted a number of advisories from the Meterological Office.
The heaviest rainfall is expected over the hills of Dartmoor, Exmoor and the Welsh valleys, but up to 35mm of rain is also anticipated for the south west of England, the west Midlands, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, west Berkshire and Oxfordshire. The public have been warned to be aware of the potential of flooding in areas already affected by recent deluges just a week after Britons enjoyed the hottest day of the year, with temperatures reaching 28 degrees Celsius.
Met Office forecaster Helen Chivers said:
"It is looking pretty wet across southern Britain and is likely to cause a few problems in places.
"We are working with the Environment Agency because over the weekend parts of the south west got 100mm of rain, so that has led to rivers rising in certain areas and given us saturated ground in some parts.
"There is a potential for flooding - where some areas have saturated ground, it could cause some problems."
Conditions could prove hazardous for drivers a spokesman for the Metrogroup UK - the weather division of the Press Association - warned, but it is predicted that the south and west should avoid thunderstorms and lightning. According to the Met Office, most areas should be drier by midnight and the sun is expected to return towards the end of next week.