Tuesday 9 August 2022 01:16 AM Hosepipe bans could last until OCTOBER with no 'meaningful rainfall' coming soon trends now
Hosepipe bans could last until October with no 'meaningful rainfall' forecast to arrive anytime soon as temperatures are set to soar to 36C amid a 'level three' heat alert across many parts of England.
The Met Office has said temperatures are likely to rise into the low to mid-30s in central and southern parts of the UK - but will not be as extreme as the record-breaking heat in July when the thermometer climbed above 40C.
The UK Health Security Agency has issued a heat health alert for southern and central England from Tuesday to Saturday, with experts advising people to look out for those who are older or with existing health conditions, and young children.
An Atlantic weather system next week is forecast to result in a 10C fall in temperatures along with an increased chance of rain and thunderstorms. But it is unlikely to be substantial enough to replace water supplies.
Two water companies have already announced hosepipe bans and others have warned they may need to follow suit, following the driest eight months from November to June since 1976, and the driest July on record for parts of southern and eastern England.
Southern Water, which has imposed a ban in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, has applied to the Environment Agency for a six-month 'drought permit' to allow it to draw more water from the River Test, The Times reports.
The River Test's flow had been 2,500 megalitres (Ml) a day in March, but this has now fallen to just 450Ml.
Southern Water has said the flow could fall further this month to 365Ml - hitting the legal limit for removing water.
A spokesperson said: 'The permit would last six months or until flows have returned to above 500Ml per day for 21 consecutive days.'
The Wessex Water Sutton Bingham Reservoir near Yeovil in Somerset pictured on Monday during another scorching day that saw water levels drop
Two water companies have already announced hosepipe bans and others have warned they may need to follow suit in the coming days
The Long Walk at Windsor Castle on Monday as temperatures soared again amid safety warnings as another heatwave is due to hit the UK
Southern Water, which has imposed a ban in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, has applied to the Environment Agency for a six-month 'drought permit' to allow it to draw more water from the River Test
Fire Fighters rushed to Ludwell Valley near the centre of Exeter after a fire took hold. The fire ripped through the grass lands, stopping merely meters away from residential houses
A dried up lake in Wanstead Park, north east London today, as Britain braces itself for another heatwave
Sunbathers enjoy the warm climes at Porthmeor Beach in St Ives, Cornwall
Firefighters across Devon have spent the day tackling grass fires around the county
Outside the hottest areas, much of England and Wales and south-east Scotland could see temperatures widely in the high 20s, with a chance of a few spots seeing temperatures into the low 30s, the Met Office said.
Scotland and Northern Ireland will also see temperatures in the high 20s and could reach official heatwave criteria by Friday, the forecasters said.
With the latest heatwave coming after months of low rain, which have left the countryside and urban parks and gardens tinder-dry, households in some areas are being urged not to light fires or have barbecues.
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service is urging people not to light barbecues or bonfires, or let off fireworks or sky lanterns, after a large blaze which damaged gardens, sheds and trees was started by a chiminea.
The Country Land and Business Association (CLA), which represents 28,000 farmers and landowners in England and Wales, has demanded retailers follow the lead of Marks & Spencer and ban the sale of disposable barbecues across the UK this summer to reduce the risk of wildfires in the dry conditions.
The Met Office's fire severity index (FSI), an assessment of how severe a fire could become if one were to start, is very high for most of England and Wales, and will reach 'exceptional' for a swathe of England by the weekend.
Two water companies have already announced hosepipe bans and others have warned they may need to follow suit, following the driest eight months from November to June since 1976, and the driest July on record for parts of southern and eastern England.
Scientists warn that the likelihood of droughts occurring is becoming higher due to climate change, driven by greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels and other human activities.
Families make the most of sunny weather at Porthgwidden Beach in St Ives, Cornwall
Dry earth on the banks of Grafham Water near Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire, where water is receding during the drought
