Summer will be a washout

THE summer is heading for a total washout, with little chance of any long periods of sunshine.

STRUGGLING ON Bad weather at Wimbledon STRUGGLING ON: Bad weather at Wimbledon

Most of the country will be drenched by thundery showers all this week – and forecasters predict that could set the pattern for the rest of the month and beyond.[>

[>

The miserable outlook even led one forecaster to warn that this summer could be among the wettest on record.[>

[>

Jonathan Powell, of Positive Weather Solutions, said there was an “unsettled picture” for July and August.[>

[>

“Whereas we may have a few days of fine weather, there will be no lengthy spells of sunshine or sustained warm temperatures,” he said.[>

[>

“That is because, once again, Atlantic weather systems will continue to deliver wet, windy conditions and average temperatures.”[>

[>

Dave Elliott at the Met Office agreed. “Rainfall is looking above average or similar to average for the rest of the summer, with the temperatures nearly average or a touch below,” he said. “Last year was a pretty bad summer as well – a lovely April and September but fairly unsettled in between.[>

[>

“This year we’ve not had a prolonged warm, dry spell. We’ve had several nice days but not a couple of weeks at a time. You have to go back to 2006 for a glorious summer, hot, dry and sunny.”[>

[>

Piers Corbyn, director of long-range forecasters WeatherAction, said: “This week is going to be thundery and showery and the following week will be terrible and the end of the month will be terrible. The rainy theme will continue through the summer.[>

[>

“The summer as a whole will be in the top five wettest on record – about as bad as last year, which was absolutely terrible. Global warming is over.[>

[>

“For holidaymakers, Cornwall and southern Ireland look like getting better weather than most places.”[>

[>

Rain disrupted two of the country’s showcase sporting events yesterday. At Silverstone, UK driver Lewis Hamilton roared to victory in the British Grand Prix with a stunning drive in the wet, while at Wimbledon play in the men’s singles final was interrupted before Rafael Nadal finally defeated Roger Federer.[>

[>

For families forced to holiday at home because of the credit crunch, the terrible weather is a double dose of gloom. But travel agents and airlines are optimistic.[>

[>

Sean Tipton, of the Association of British Travel Agents, said: “The weather is going to be great news. When there’s a period of bad weather, people start thinking about a foreign holiday.”[>

[>

Bookings are high and expected to climb as the rain sets in. “We’re the only industry that prays for bad weather,” he said.[>

[>

The wettest summers since records began in 1766 include 2007, 1985, 1956, 1931, 1927 and 1789. But so far, at least, the impact of the weather has yet to be felt on all our sea fronts.[>

[>

Leanne Guy, of the English Riviera Tourist Board, which covers Torquay, Paignton and Brixham, said: “Year on year we’re up on visitors with inquiries, accommodation and bookings.[>

[>

“I’ve spoken to a few businesses in the last week and all were up. The weather doesn’t seem to have affected us at all. It hasn’t been great but it never is in England.[>

[>

“They do say the credit crunch has affected people going abroad, but I think it has been quite busy because people are not wanting to go so far with young families.”[>

[>

The annual Bognor Birdman competition became a victim of the weather yesterday. The event, being held at nearby Worthing in West Sussex because of fears about the safety of the pier, had to be cancelled because of strong winds and rough sea.[>

[>

But 101-year-old grandmother Winifred Hudson defied the conditions to complete a five-kilometre charity run at York.[>

[>

A spokesman for Cancer Research UK said: “Winnie had some people in tears. To see her determination was so moving. People delayed their finishing times just so they could complete the race by her side.”[>

[>

• Additional reporting by Gareth Crickmer.[>

Would you like to receive news notifications from Daily Express?