The SWELTERING Brits need to reconsider their wish for heavy rain to cool the heatwave. It could be a disastrous outcome.
Scientists are able to recognize the importance of scientific research. revealedThe extreme heat could cause flash floods if it is not dealt with quickly.
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In an eye-opening video experiment Professor Rob Thompson, from the University of Reading’s meteorology department, demonstrates why it could be dangerous.
It comes down how fast the land absorbs rainfall.
The expert uses a cup of water to show what happens to grass when it’s wet, grass in a normal British summer, or grass that has been dried out by the heatwave.
The water is poured upside-down on each patch. The ground that has dried out will struggle to absorb water, while the others take in more water.
If heavy rain drops suddenly on grass that is as burnt as it is now, this could lead to serious flash floods.
“Britain desperately needs rain to break this drought,”He said so to PA.
“But we must be careful what we wish to get.”
“Experience has shown the potential for heavy rain to follow a hot and dry period that has baked soil.
“The water can’t soak in easily, most of it just runs straight off the surface, which can quickly turn into flash floods.
“If you’re praying for rain, you should pray for two days of drizzle, as dreadful as that sounds.”
The Met Office also warned of the real danger it represents, saying: “This experiment shows how heavy rainfall following an extended period of extreme heat could lead to flooding.”
Current forecasts indicate that there may be isolated, but powerful thunderstorms on Sunday and Monday.
Some areas could receive up to 50mm rain in just three hours in the north.
Some areas further south could see up to 30mm of rainfall in three hours.
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