Britain heading for drought and sweltering heat this summer

Britain could be heading for drought conditions this summer, with parts of the country seeing very little rainfall over the next week to ten days and even in the next few months, according to forecasters.

With the wettest winter on record eeming like a distant memory, certain areas in Southern Britain may have no rainfall at all in the next fortnight and the Met Office says there is a "strong signal" the dry spell will continue after that, reports the Telegraph.

According to the Express, which is predicting a 'sweltering summer', experts have confirmed that temperatures will be driven up by an El Nino.

Warmer waters in the Pacific Ocean increase global temperatures during an El Nino, suggesting that Britain could be on course for one of the hottest summers on record, according to the Daily Star.

The El Nino phenomenon happens roughly every five years,

The drought will follow the wettest winter on record.

In the UK, an absolute drought is defined as a period of at least 15 consecutive days on none of which is there more than 0.2 mm of rainfall, reports the Telegraph.

The Environment Agency has advised people to "use water wisely" and although the Government agency did not issue any specific guidance for any potential drought, it is feared the dry weather could lead to hosepipe bans this summer.

An area of high pressure near the UK is likely to stay long into next week, bringing warm temperatures and very dry conditions.

According to the Met Office, isolated sharp showers may develop across northern England and southern Scotland but the temperatures will be quiet warm in the sunnier south and west.

The Environment Agency said: "Despite recent warm weather, river and groundwater levels across England are all at normal levels thanks to the wettest winter in history.

"Water is a precious resource and it's always important to use it wisely, but especially during hot, dry weather which can lead to increased demand for water, pressure on the environment and supplies."

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