Weekend washout as Brits set for a soaking as five days of rain expected in one hour
Heavy rainfall is set to dominate the upcoming weekend with flood warnings suggesting five days worth of rain could fall in just one hour.
Despite the expiry of thunderstorm warnings, there’s no let up for the UK in terms of extreme weather as torrential rain is set to come down hard before the summer heat makes a return before the end of August.
According to the government’s flooding service, eight alerts are still in effect in England while 21 flood warnings have been removed in the last 24 hours.
READ MORE:Britain heading for fresh heatwave with Bank Holiday scorcher days after downpours
Despite the expectation of heavy rain this weekend, Thames water are still continuing to bring in a hosepipe ban on August 24 as forecaster, Jo Farrow, said that the downpours may not have the desired effect on the drought conditions plaguing the UK.
![The UK continues to suffer from the conditions of the drought](https://i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk/incoming/article27779365.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_Summer-weather-Aug-17th-2022.jpg)
(Image: PA)
“The ground is hard and dry, the water can not soak into it. That is why we see the surface runoff, pooling water and gushing floods flowing away,” she said.
“Also, there have been many dry months over winter and in 2021. The background to this summer has led to these current drought conditions.
“Many parts of Britain are in drought or water scarcity after the driest July for England since 1935, and the driest July on record for East Anglia, southeast and southern England.
“The River Thames is at its lowest level since 2005 and has led to a drop in reservoir levels in the Thames Valley and London.”
![The UK continues to suffer from the conditions of the drought](https://i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk/incoming/article27779367.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_A-person-rides-a-motorbike-through-road-water-during-a-rain-storm.jpg)
(Image: REUTERS)
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Before the UK once again reaches temperatures of up to 30C in the last week of August, the public will have to brace the heavy downpours before enjoying the scorching sun again.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Steven Ramsdale said: “Although not everyone within the warning areas will see the thundery downpours, where they do occur there’s a potential for some very large rainfall totals today.
“Despite the rain falling on some extremely dry ground, there’s a potential for surface-water flooding.
“Within the warning areas, potential impacts include the chance for some power cuts, difficult travelling conditions thanks to sudden changes in driving conditions and possible flooding of travel routes, homes and businesses.
“Hail and lightning could also be embedded within these systems, creating an additional hazard.”
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