Weather warning for Essex as forecasters predict "violent storms" (From Brentwood Weekly News)
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Weather warning for Essex as forecasters predict "violent storms"
3:18pm Thursday 5th July 2012 in Basildon news By Emma Palmer
ESSEX residents could be in for a mega storm tonight (Thursday) as forecasters predicts two month’s worth of rain will pound down across the county in just six hours.
Meteorologists from the Essex Weather Centre fear downpours could become so heavy, it could lead to some parts of Friday’s Olympic Torch relay being called off.
The worst affected areas will be north of the county, with Colchester, Braintree and Maldon particularly coming in for a battering.
Basildon and Southend are also expected to get hit with heavy showers, but things should brighten up by th time the Olympic Torch reaches south Essex in the afternoon.
An “Amber Warning” has now been issued for Essex. This has not happened since February when there was heavy snow.
The alert is the second highest weather experts can give,and tells residents to “be prepared” for violent storms.
Essex Weather Centre meteorologist, Tom Defty said the worst will come between midnight and 6am, first hitting the Clacton area before moving across Colchester and later onto south Essex “All the ingredients are there for a violent storm. If it happens it could be a memorable event.
“The problem is there is a supercell storm coming over the North Sea. The North Sea does funny things to storms, nearly always making them a lot worse.
“With so much rain in such a short space of time you get flash floods and then the water goes into the river, ultimately leading to more flooding.
“I wouldn't be surprised if the early morning legs of the Olympic relay in the Colchester and Maldon area have to be cancelled.
“It should be better in Basildon in the late afternoon however it is likely to be very cloudy.”
Tom added: “It’s a real shame. We just couldn’t have worse weather on such an important day.
“it’s the same as the Jubilee last month, which took place on the coldest June day in Essex ever on record.”
The Essex Weather Centre’s computers predict we could see as much as 70 mms of rain in six hours. The average amount of rainfall for all of July is only 36mms.
Experts from the centre will be tweeting live updates about the weather all throughout Thursday night/Friday morning. Call the centre 01245 835000 or log onto www.essexweather.com.
Comments(24)
UK Fan
says...
4:37pm Thu 5 Jul 12
More scaremongering by the Echo staff.
The Cater Wood Creeper
says...
4:51pm Thu 5 Jul 12
Of course this merely follows the 'worst case scenario' forecastig following the 'there's been report of a hurricane, but don't worry folks' Michael Fish faux pas back in the eighties. If they get it wrong no-one will be too bothered but they're sh!t scred of not telling us in case it does happen.
Kayaks and wellies are available at your local camping/outdoor megastore.
Ark blueprints available at biblicalflood dot com.
Anyone want to buy a hosepipe?
APR
says...
6:47pm Thu 5 Jul 12
(Ok I know they are self adhesive now)
N.T.Franklin
says...
6:51pm Thu 5 Jul 12
bazaarhorse
says...
7:32pm Thu 5 Jul 12
UK Fan wrote:BBC predict thunder & heavy rain, tell us where you get your info ?
Unfortunately, the MetOffice has no knowledge of this, at least not when it concerns Southend.
More scaremongering by the Echo staff.
APR
says...
7:37pm Thu 5 Jul 12
APR wrote:Saying that, the sky to the South East does look a tad grey :)
We'll probably get enough to wet the back of a 1st class stamp.
(Ok I know they are self adhesive now)
hughie-s
says...
8:10pm Thu 5 Jul 12
http://www.raintoday
.co.uk/
v.randy
says...
8:36pm Thu 5 Jul 12
meldrew84
says...
8:48pm Thu 5 Jul 12
bazaarhorse wrote:Where are you getting yours from?! The BBC weather is forecasting light rain at 1, 2 and then heavy rain at 3, then more light rain at 4..... I'd hardly call that a "megastorm". In fact, after the last couple of months i'd call that perfectly predictable weather. And as far as i'm aware the BBC get their info from the MET office anyway so i'm with UK Fan on this one.
UK Fan wrote:BBC predict thunder & heavy rain, tell us where you get your info ?
Unfortunately, the MetOffice has no knowledge of this, at least not when it concerns Southend.
More scaremongering by the Echo staff.
Rachie
says...
9:56pm Thu 5 Jul 12
bazaarhorse wrote:Met office. Not as 'violent' as Echo are making it out to be. Though heavy rain is still forecast for parts of the county.
UK Fan wrote:BBC predict thunder & heavy rain, tell us where you get your info ?
Unfortunately, the MetOffice has no knowledge of this, at least not when it concerns Southend.
More scaremongering by the Echo staff.
http://www.metoffice
.gov.uk/public/weath
er/forecast/?tab=fiv
eDay&fcTime=13414428
00&locId=353124
APR
says...
11:23pm Thu 5 Jul 12
notinwestcliffanymore
says...
11:50pm Thu 5 Jul 12
152
says...
1:24am Fri 6 Jul 12
emcee
says...
3:48am Fri 6 Jul 12
bazaarhorse
says...
6:09am Fri 6 Jul 12
meldrew84 wrote:Would have thought it obvious, the BBC website silly boy.
bazaarhorse wrote:Where are you getting yours from?! The BBC weather is forecasting light rain at 1, 2 and then heavy rain at 3, then more light rain at 4..... I'd hardly call that a "megastorm". In fact, after the last couple of months i'd call that perfectly predictable weather. And as far as i'm aware the BBC get their info from the MET office anyway so i'm with UK Fan on this one.
UK Fan wrote:BBC predict thunder & heavy rain, tell us where you get your info ?
Unfortunately, the MetOffice has no knowledge of this, at least not when it concerns Southend.
More scaremongering by the Echo staff.
meldrew84
says...
8:39am Fri 6 Jul 12
bazaarhorse wrote:Apparently you can't read then.... or perhaps you are looking at the wrong area??
meldrew84 wrote:Would have thought it obvious, the BBC website silly boy.
bazaarhorse wrote:Where are you getting yours from?! The BBC weather is forecasting light rain at 1, 2 and then heavy rain at 3, then more light rain at 4..... I'd hardly call that a "megastorm". In fact, after the last couple of months i'd call that perfectly predictable weather. And as far as i'm aware the BBC get their info from the MET office anyway so i'm with UK Fan on this one.
UK Fan wrote:BBC predict thunder & heavy rain, tell us where you get your info ?
Unfortunately, the MetOffice has no knowledge of this, at least not when it concerns Southend.
More scaremongering by the Echo staff.
joeski97
says...
9:03am Fri 6 Jul 12
President3
says...
9:07am Fri 6 Jul 12
nicknows
says...
11:12am Fri 6 Jul 12
Predicted but a non-event
The Cater Wood Creeper
says...
12:14pm Fri 6 Jul 12
President3 wrote:plus it's The British Grand Prix weekend
From my observations and experience, we are getting the normal amount of rain for Wimbledon fortnight!
v.randy
says...
7:54pm Fri 6 Jul 12
The Cater Wood Creeper
says...
12:05pm Sat 7 Jul 12
v.randy wrote:best reinstate the hosepipe ban then....
no rain here in shoebury for days
APR
says...
10:20am Sun 8 Jul 12
huedash says...
4:29pm Thu 5 Jul 12