More heavy rain on the way but still not enough to end drought
PA
Forecasters have warned of more rain across Britain for the weekend, next week and early May, making the London Marathon and St George's Day a washout, and without any impact on the drought.
The Met Office predicts that virtually the whole of Britain will get rain this weekend and the Environment Agency has warned that the heavy rain could lead to flash flooding, as dry soils are unable to absorb water easily so it runs off and causes floods.
This week's torrential weather saw the River Ouse in York burst its banks on Friday after days of heavy rain and the Met Office issued severe weather warnings of heavy downpours and even snow on higher ground for Scotland, according to the Express.
The Environment Agency has given four flood alerts for the Midlands and the North-East with parts of the North receiving a more serious flood warning.
Former BBC weather forecaster Michael Fish told The Daily Express: 'Friday saw heavy and torrential showers, hail, thunder and cool temperatures, with wintry showers possible on hills – and it's the same again through the weekend and into next week. Looking beyond next week, I've a horrible feeling it'll be the same forecast.'
But the downpours are having little effect on the drought and the hosepipe ban.
National drought co-ordinator for the Environment Agency Polly Chancellor told the Daily Mail: 'While we've had some welcome rain this week, the environmental drought affecting large parts of England could last until Christmas.
'The soil is so dry that only steady rain over the winter will restore rivers and groundwaters, so we would urge everyone - right across the country - to help by using less water.'
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