Brits face 29C ‘sizzle ’n’ storms’ summer season as floods threaten festivals and college hols
Forecasters say Brits could be in for a very mixed summer – with both storms and scorching heat set to run through the UK, expected to interrupt music festivals and school holidays
Britain faces a sizzle ’n’ storms summer – as floods threaten festivals and school holidays after yesterday’s deluge.
Storms rolled in from France to end the 29C heatwave with a bang and 30,000 lightning strikes. A month’s rain fell in a few hours in Kent, as streets turned to rivers, on top of parts of Britain already having had their entire usual June rainfall in just 10 days. A sunny Sunday will cheer dads for Father’s Day, with 23C heat set to spark a rush to seafronts.
But steamy heat plumes ahead mean storms and floods are due from next weekend, in July, and again in schools’ summer break. And 200,000 Glastonbury fans will watch the forecast anxiously ahead of the festival from June 25-29.
Weather Outlook forecaster Brian Gaze said: “It looks like a sizzle ‘n’ storms summer. Thunderstorms and torrential downpours look like making a regular appearance.”
The Met Office added: “There are risks of heavy showers and thunderstorms as well as hot spells in the 30 days ahead.”
As for festivals, Glastonbury goers are warned to stock up on certain items before the festival – which is considered the biggest in Europe – kicks off in ten days.
Music lovers should prepare for all weathers, as experts say they should pack both suncream and wellies. This is to ensure they’re covered for both sun and rain.
Amateur forecaster James Carter, 30, from Worle, Weston-super-Mare, has also warned the weather at Worthy Farm is likely to be very mixed. He has been studying a range of weather models ahead of the festival and says conditions could be unpredictable, with the potential for both high heat and heavy showers.
James, who interprets atmospheric data, said: “It’s looking quite warm but thundery – a bit like what we’re experiencing now over the next few days. “You’re going to have to prepare for everything.
“With thunderous downpours, they tend to be hit and miss. So you could get a soaking or miss them entirely.”
Glastonbury has been known for its weather extremes across its 55-year history. The hottest day on record came in 2017, when temperatures soared to 31.2°C.
The wettest was in 2007, when 60.1mm of rain fell on Worthy Farm in a single day, turning the site into a muddy quagmire.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here .
