Met Office dismisses reports of 50 days of rain this summer
The weather agency rejected reports warning of 50 days of rain as 'not accurate' - because 'it's not possible to forecast a specific number'.
The Met Office has dismissed reports there will be seven weeks worth of rain this summer.
On Tuesday, a number of websites suggested this summer will be one of the wettest on record, with up to 50 days of rain forecast. They also reported the Met Office had briefed the government about this.
However, when approached by Yahoo News UK, the weather agency rejected these reports as “not accurate” and said it would be “seeking correction”.
“It’s not possible to forecast a specific number of days of rain in the UK for a whole season,” it said.
It added its current rainfall signals for the summer are actually "limited", though there is likely to be some wet weather.
"As is typical for forecasts made at this time of year, signals for prevailing weather patterns over the UK during summer are relatively weak. However, signals show the chances of a wet or dry summer are fairly balanced. Whilst rainfall signals are limited, some spells of unsettled weather can be expected."
Why can't the Met Office forecast a specific number of rainy days?
In its explanation to Yahoo News UK, the weather agency said: "When looking at forecasts beyond five days into the future, the chaotic nature of the atmosphere starts to come into play. Small events currently over the Atlantic can have potentially significant impacts on our weather in the UK in several days' or weeks’ time.
"Therefore, whilst we can still forecast the general feel of the weather to a relatively high level of accuracy using our ensemble models, it becomes harder to offer local detail to as high a level of accuracy as our shorter range forecasts.
"For this reason longer range forecast tend to be for the average conditions over the UK as a whole. Regional deviations from the UK average can occur."
UK set for thunderstorms and heavy rain
It comes as torrential rain and thunderstorms are set to bring flooding and travel disruption across much of the UK over the next couple of days.
Met Office forecasters are warning up to 1.2in (30mm) of rain could fall in just a few hours in places, while lightning, hail and strong winds could cause damage to buildings.
A yellow warning for storms was issued for parts of north-west England, Yorkshire, the East Midlands and East Anglia between 2pm and 7pm on Tuesday, while a separate warning covering Northumberland, Cumbria and southern Scotland is in place from 3pm until midnight. Parts of Northern Ireland are also covered by a yellow warning between noon and 9pm.
A further yellow warning for thunderstorms comes into force in Scotland at 10am on Wednesday and is in place until 7pm.
The agency added: "That showery theme, with the potential for some heavier bursts, continues for much of the country on Thursday, though there is also likely to be some sunny spells at times."
Read more
Met Office dismisses 'Saharan plume' reports (Yahoo News UK - from earlier this month)
Thunderstorms and heavy rain set to hit parts of the UK (PA Media)
