Colony Reservoir dries up after warmest spring on record
A reservoir at the Charnwood Lodge nature reserve has dried up due to the "extremely dry" spring, a wildlife organisation has said.Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust (LRWT) said all the fish in the water have died at Colony Reservoir in Leicestershire.The UK recorded its warmest spring on record and its driest in more than 50 years, according to provisional figures from the Met Office.LRWT added the reservoir was entirely fed by rainwater run-off from the surrounding hills, but the supply has run out due to the dry weather.
A spokesperson said: "It's not a pretty sight up there at the minute. "Because of the remote location it's been impossible to fill up by any other means and it's also made any potential rescuing of the fish impossible, too."The spokesperson added the reservoir can dry up "from time to time" but added that it had not happened "for a number of years".
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The Independent
43 minutes ago
- The Independent
Temperatures to soar again on Sunday amid amber heat health alert
Temperatures will soar again on Sunday as the second amber heat health alert in two weeks remains in force. The mercury could hit 30C in London, 28C in the east of England, and 28C in the Midlands, the Met Office said. But temperatures will remain relatively low in other areas, with 21C the highest likely to be reached in Scotland, and 23C in the south-west of England. Sunday will see a band of cloud and rain across central parts of the UK, gradually edging northwards. This rain may ease for a time before turning heavier in the far northwest later in the day. Southern areas will start cloudy with some patchy drizzle on western hills, but there will be plenty of dry weather too, with sunny spells developing. It comes as a second amber heat health alert in two weeks came into force on Friday. The alert, which covers London, the East Midlands, South East, South West and East of England, will last until 6pm on Tuesday. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) also issued a yellow alert for Yorkshire and Humber and the West Midlands for the same time period, with the agency warning of significant impacts across health and social care services. Temperatures could reach 34C on Monday, which if it did, would only be the fourth time in June since the 1930s. The June record, which could be surpassed, stands at 35.6C, recorded at Southampton Mayflower Park on June 28 1976 and again at Camden Square, north London, on June 29 1957. An amber alert was previously issued for all regions in England on June 19, the first time it had been used since September 2023. On the same day, temperatures reached 32.2C in Kew, west London, before heatwaves were declared across England and Wales. An official heatwave is recorded when areas reach a certain temperature for three consecutive days, with thresholds varying from 25C to 28C in different parts of the UK.
Times
an hour ago
- Times
Jeremy Clarkson: My favourite season at Diddly Squat? 6.30am on May 10
After five years of being in the countryside I've started to notice the changing of the seasons. This never used to happen when I was in London. For six months of the year I wore a coat and then for the next six I didn't. There was no greenery to tell me where we were in the calendar and in the supermarket strawberries were always available. Even in December? Sure. It's so different for me now. Let me take you back to a happy moment early last month. I'm sitting nibbling crunchily on the first of my radishes and that evening I'll go into the vegetable garden and pick some asparagus because it's in season. And that brings me on to my next point. We are taught that there are four seasons in a year, but when you are outdoors, in the countryside, all the time, you come to realise that actually there are hundreds. Take spring. Officially it starts at the beginning of March and goes on until the end of May. But that's an aeon. Entire eco-systems can come and go in such a yawning chasm of time. At the beginning of March my wildflower fields are green. Then they turn dark yellow as the buttercups and dandelions arrive. Then they become pale yellow as the cowslips bloom. Then they go blue with the dawn of the cornflowers and by the time spring officially ends they're a blanket of white thanks to all the daisies. One season, my arse. • Farmer Clarkson: I've finally found my calling — midwifery Having given the matter some thought, I've decided my second favourite season of the year is October 7 at about 5pm. The sun is low in the sky and bathing the autumnal leaves in an orangey glow of warmth and wonderfulness. But even this is beaten by the best season of the year: May 10 at 6.30am. The dawn chorus is in full flow. Goldfinches and blackbirds are squeaking away, desperately trying to make themselves heard over the deafening shrillness of the robin. Down in the valley there's a crimson-tinged mist. The hedgerows are bright white thanks to all the hawthorn blossom, and you can almost hear the grass growing. I rarely need to get up that early but in May I do, because the English countryside at that time of year is a match for anywhere else in the world. Northern Iraq is special for sure, so are the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe and the deserts of Arizona and the high plains of Bolivia, where the sun appears to set in the east and the west at the same time. But none of them can really beat Chipping Norton on May 10, just after dawn. It's a fantastic time for the farm too. The calves have stopped being wobbly and are now in their pasture, fattening themselves up nicely with all the fresh grass. The lambs have all been born and, for the last time in their lives, are amusing as they boing around the place making cartoon noises. And all the crops are in the ground, on their way to becoming money. When you put it like this, speaking of blossom and spring lambs playing in the sunshine while seeds turn into cash, it's easy to see why people became farmers in the olden days. A ploughman's for lunch, a pint in the local after the day's work was done and then home for a nice pie with your ruddy-faced children who'd spent the day making dams and scrumping apples. • Farmer Clarkson: spare a thought for the real victims of the housing crisis The trouble is that behind the curtain of Enid Blyton goodness, which is still to be found, there are some serious problems these days. The weather is one of them. It used to be reasonably predictable, but it just isn't any more. I started farming in 2020 and, as I recall, it didn't really rain at all, so all my crops withered. Then it didn't stop raining and everything I could get into the ground, which wasn't much, drowned. And then in February this year the rain stopped and that was pretty much that. In March Diddly Squat had no rain at all. Not even a drop. In April we got 20mm, which in old money is bugger all. And so far in May we've had 4mm. You couldn't keep a window box going with a dribble like that. It's been drier than it was in 1976. And while we do have about thirty springs on the farm, they're all in the wrong place. So my onions and my beetroots are just sitting in the dust, being about as lively and productive as those fentanyl enthusiasts you see on every San Francisco street corner these days. The wheat, meanwhile, is curling up, the barley won't really get cracking at all and I dread to think what manner of terribleness is being foisted on my poor potatoes. Can you imagine what life would be like if weather was a factor in the world of brain surgery? 'I'm sorry, Mrs Miggins. We did our best to save your husband but I'm afraid there was a shower halfway through the operation, so now he's dead.' Or accountancy? 'Yes, I know you have a well-run business and your product is much loved by a large number of people around the world. But I'm afraid it was very sunny in July and, as a result, you're bankrupt.' • Farmer Clarkson: I mentioned a spring-clean and Kaleb did a runner There's another thing that I still struggle to get my head round. In any other industry you work out how much it costs to make your product, add some profit to make it all worthwhile, and that's what you charge. But it doesn't work like that in farming. I buy the cows and feed them and look after them and then someone in Chicago tells me how much money I'm going to get for them. It's the same with my wheat. There's a global price, set by people in suits, and if that's less than what it cost me to grow it, tough titties. All the farmers I speak to just accept this state of affairs, but as a new boy I really struggle. I've even tried to get round it, selling my own barley to my own brewery to make lager. Clever, yes? No. Because if I charge myself what it cost to grow my barley and cover last year's crop that failed to make the grade, a pint of Hawkstone would cost £7,000. It's the same story with my pub. Such a brilliant idea — farm to fork made real. Yes, but if I make it pay the right price for my lamb, the number of people who could afford to eat there would be about none. I therefore have to charge the wrong price. So, while the countryside is as beautiful as ever and farming is still full of happiness, there are many recent issues that have conspired to make it extremely difficult. And that's before we get to the biggest issue of them all: Sir Keir Starmer. A man who plainly sees the countryside rather differently to me. He looks at a hawthorn bush in full bloom and thinks, 'I'm going to confiscate that. And build a house on it.'
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
'It's too hot': Organisers of major music festival send crowds home hours early amid 'medical emergency' as Britain braces for its warmest day and Europe cooks in 46C 'heat dome'
A music festival has been forced to send crowds home amid a 'medical emergency' with organisers saying 'it was just too hot' - as Britain braces for its warmest day and Europe cooks in a 46C 'heat dome'. The Margate Drum and Bass Festival at Dreamland Margate, an amusement park in Kent, announced on social media that it was forced to 'close early' as 'it was just too hot today'. The event was due to end at 10:45pm this evening but organisers issued an announcement at 18:30pm to say it would be closing prematurely, urging gig-goers to 'get home safely'. Kent Police confirmed it was 'aware of a medical incident' at Margate Drum and Bass Festival. Meanwhile, Europeans have been warned to stay indoors as the continent goes on high alert for extreme 47C heat. Indeed, a new Spanish high temperature record for June of 46C was confirmed today by the AEMET - Spain's state meteorological agency. Back in the UK, the Met Office says the country's hottest day yet is on its way. The mercury is set to rise to 36C on Monday in parts of the UK in what could be the hottest June day in record and the highest temperature in nearly three years. An amber heat health alert has been activated until Tuesday covering the East Midlands, South East, South West and East of England, alongside Somerset - where Glastonbury is roaring ahead. And hayfever sufferers may have to lock themselves inside as a pollen bomb is set to be released on the same day - with very high levels across the south and midlands at the start of the week in what experts say will be the 'perfect storm' of misery. This week forest fires and flash floods have wrecked chaos across the continent, with warnings a heatwave is bearing down. Sweltering infernos have melted roads in Italy while raging wildfires tore through Greece. Two-thirds of Portugal will be on high alert on Sunday for extreme heat and forest fires, with 42C expected in the capital Lisbon. Residents of the southern French port city of Marseille and across Spain are also bracing themselves for 40C while it could reach highs of 39C in Rome. And it is only going to get more intense as the week goes on -with Sicily and areas of northern Italy banning outdoor work in the hottest hours of the day. In Nice, on the French Riviera, nearly 250 portable fans have been distributed to schools over the past two weeks to help cope with the heat. Temperatures could hit 31C (88F) today in southern England, with highs of 31C (88F) on Sunday, 36C (97F) on Monday and 31C (88F) on Tuesday. A so-called 'heat dome', where heat is trapped by a high-pressure system, is taking hold of the continent as well as another over eastern and central areas of the US. The conditions claimed the life of a Dutch tourist aged 34 who died from heatstroke in Mallorca earlier this week. France and Germany have been hammered by rain, hail and flooding - leaving three people dead, including a child crushed to death by a tree. Spaniards were advised by meteorologists to 'remain indoors as much as possible' and to avoid strenuous outdoor activities, while firefighters in Greece battled a wildfire that burned homes near the coastal town of Palaia Fokaia near Athens. In the UK, if the temperature reaches above 33.2C (91.8F) it would make it the hottest day of the year so far - beating the current record set last Saturday in Charlwood, Surrey. Experts say the intense heat and high pollen levels on Monday with create a 'worst of both worlds' scenario for the nation's 16 million hay fever sufferers. The South East, East of England, the East Midlands and West Midlands are expected to be the worst-hit regions with 'very high' pollen on Monday – while levels across the rest of the UK are mostly 'high'. George Sandhu, Deputy Superintendent Pharmacist for Well Pharmacy, said: 'Monday could be the worst day of the year for hay fever sufferers. 'High heat and pollen are the worst of both worlds for sufferers, who should consider limiting their time outside, keeping their windows closed and taking antihistamines.' 'My best advice to sufferers is to start taking your antihistamines right now, even if you have no symptoms yet. 'The earlier you take them, the more your body will be prepared to fight.' The record for the UK's hottest ever June day will also be under threat, having stood for nearly half a century at 35.6C (96.1F) after being set in 1976 in Southampton. The hottest day of 2024 was 34.8C (94.6F) in Cambridge on August 12; while the peak in 2023 was 33.5C (92.3F) in Kent on September 10; and the 2022 high was 40.3C (104.5F) on July 19 in Lincolnshire - the UK's highest temperature on record. An official heatwave is recorded when areas reach a certain temperature for three days in a row, with thresholds varying from 25C (77F) to 28C (82F) in different areas. Met Office meteorologist Craig Snell said yesterday: 'From Friday onwards we're starting to once again see the heat build across England and Wales. 'Scotland and Northern Ireland are going to have a slightly different few days, some parts of western Scotland could see some heavy rain, especially on Friday, and we could potentially see some further rain towards the end of the weekend. Six tips for hayfever sufferers From George Sandhu, Deputy Superintendent Pharmacist for Well Pharmacy Monitor the pollen count I recommend doing a daily check so you know when you are most at risk. You can find this information on the Met Office website, which is constantly monitored Limit your time outdoors Pollen levels peak in the morning and evening, so be sure to avoid being outside then, or if necessary, only for short periods of time Keep windows closed Keep both home and car windows closed to reduce pollen entry. Use your air con rather than risk inhaling pollen particles Change your clothes regularly Pollen attaches itself to clothing when you are outside and can stay on your clothes all day. Be sure to shower and change your clothes after being outside to wash off any pollen that remains Wraparound shades I would advise wearing wraparound sunglasses to shield and protect your eyes. Sunglasses create a physical barrier between your eyes and the pollen, reducing the amount that can come into direct contact with your eyes, reducing irritation, itching, and redness, which are common hay fever symptoms. Also, with sunglasses, you're less likely to rub your eyes due to irritation from allergens, which can worsen the symptoms and lead to further inflammation or infection Consult a pharmacist If suffering from hay fever it is best to consult your local pharmacist and discuss what might be the best course of action 'On Friday, we're likely to see temperatures potentially peak around 27C or 28C in central and southern parts of England, it's going to feel quite humid. 'On Saturday, the hottest weather will be in the south east, potentially 30C. On Sunday, we're most likely to see somewhere around 30C or 31C 'It looks like the peak of the hot spell will be Monday, at the moment it's looking between 32C and 34C, there's a chance it'll be hotter than the previous (heatwave). 'Tuesday, some fresher air is going to spread across the country, but we're potentially likely to see between 31C and 33C.' Some parts of central and southern England might meet the heatwave criteria by Monday, Mr Snell added. The Met Office forecast for London on Monday is 36C. Mr Snell also said that as of Monday, some potential thunderstorms could move in, but it is too early to say where they might be. Temperatures are likely to go back down to the mid-20Cs after Tuesday, which is still above average for the time of year, the forecaster said. The UKHSA activated the amber alert amid concerns that there could be 'a rise in deaths, particularly among those ages 65 and over or with health conditions'. The warning said 'significant impacts are likely across health and social care services due to the high temperatures' along with 'increased demand for power exceeding capacity' and 'heat affecting the ability of the workforce to deliver services'. It told of 'indoor environments overheating, increasing the risk to vulnerable people living independently in community and care settings'; and 'internal temperatures in care settings may exceed recommended threshold for clinical risk assessment'. There could also be 'issues managing medicines'; 'staffing issues due to external factors'; and 'other sectors starting to observe impacts - for example, travel delays'. Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at the UKHSA, said: 'We have already seen a spell of hot weather last week and temperatures are once again set to increase in the coming days, with central, southern and eastern areas of the country likely to see the biggest impacts. 'Our findings show that heat, especially at the sort of temperatures we are likely to see at the beginning of next week, can result in serious health outcomes across the population, especially for older adults or those with pre-existing health conditions. Experts say the intense heat and high pollen levels on Monday with create a 'worst of both worlds' scenario for the nation's 16 million hay fever sufferers. Pictured: Pollen levels on Sunday (left) and Monday (right) 'It is, therefore, important to check on friends, family and neighbours who are more vulnerable and to take sensible precautions while enjoying the sun.' The National Pharmacy Association has advised patients to store their medicine away from heat zones and direct sunlight, warning that they can lose effectiveness or cause unwanted side effects. Vice-chairwoman and pharmacist Sukhi Basra said: 'It's important we take sensible precautions, including double-checking that your medication is stored correctly in a cool dry place, as per any storage instructions, ideally below 25C, as well drinking plenty of fluids and keeping your homes cool in the hottest hours of the day. 'We know the hot weather can be more of a challenge for older people or those with certain health conditions and it's important people check on vulnerable friends, family and neighbours during this period. 'If anyone has concerns at all about their health or their medication, please speak to your local pharmacy, who will be well placed to help.' Meanwhile data from Virgin Media O2 has predicted network traffic will drop as Brits head outside to enjoy the sunshine this week. Analysis of network traffic during the first heatwave earlier this month revealed that traffic fell by 7 per cent when the temperature hit 30C. Its poll found 41 per cent of UK workers admit to having pulled a sickie to make the most of hot weather, with that figure soaring to six out of ten 18 to 24 year olds. Weather expert Nacho Espinos has advised Spaniards to 'remain indoors as much as possible' and to avoid strenuous outdoor activities as the country prepares for the most extreme heatwave of the year. Emergency medical staff in Spain readied to deal with an unexpected surge in heatstroke cases, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly and people with chronic illnesses. In neighbouring Portugal, the national meteorological agency IPMA said the heatwave would hit from today, with temperatures passing 40C in the south of the country as well as in the central Tagus and the Douro valleys in the north. Sunday will be even hotter, the agency added, and two-thirds of the country has already been put on orange alert. Temperatures are expected to hit 42C in the capital, Lisbon. The risk of fire is at its highest inland in the northern half of Portugal, as well as on the Algarve coast popular with holidaymakers in the south. In Greece, firefighters have been battling a wildfire that burned residences and holiday houses near the coastal town of Palaia Fokaia near Athens, which has forced people to flee. Fires have burned throughout the week, where frequent wildfires and floods in recent years have been exacerbated by a changing climate. In the area of Palaia Fokaia, 130 firefighters were supported by 12 aircraft and 12 helicopters as they sought to put out flames that were whipped up by high winds. Greek police have moved to safety 40 people, firebrigade spokesperson Vasilios Vathrakogiannis told a televised news conference, adding that coastguard vessels had sailed to the area to assist with more evacuations if needed. 'Firefighters are fighting a huge battle with the flames, mainly near houses,' he said, adding that a seaside roadway running across the affected areas was protectively cordoned off. Footage showed thick grey smoke rising over the region with lush vegetation, where air temperatures soared to 38C on Thursday. Authorities said the risk of wildfires would remain high on Friday before the weather got cooler. Fields, olive groves and some houses were ravaged by the blaze around Athens. Greece has spent hundreds of millions of euros to compensate households and farmers for damage related to extreme weather and to acquire new and modern firefighting equipment to deal with wildfires, which have been made harder to contain by rising summer temperatures. It has increased its number of firefighters to a record 18,000 this year in anticipation of another difficult wildfire season. Hundreds of firefighters in Greece also battled a wildfire which burned out of control on the eastern Aegean island of Chios, with authorities issuing multiple evacuation orders. SPAIN: A man carries a parasol as he walks in the Plaza de la Virgen where Corpus Christi sculptures are on display as parts of Spain experience a heatwave on June 21, 2025 in Valencia, Spain SPAIN: People sit next to a large outdoor fan to keep cool at a restaurant terrace during high temperatures in Madrid on Friday Towering walls of flames tore through forest and agricultural land on the island, where authorities have declared a state of emergency and have sent firefighting reinforcements from Athens, the northern city of Thessaloniki and the nearby island of Lesbos. By Tuesday morning, the fire department said 444 firefighters with 85 vehicles were tackling the blaze on scattered fronts. Eleven helicopters and two water-dropping planes were providing air support. Emergency services issued evacuation orders for villages and settlements in the area since Sunday, when fires broke out near the island's main town. Apocalyptic scenes captured in images and videos showed firefighters battling the flames as the wildfires raged on, while thick plumes of black smoke filled the sky. Other videos showed helicopters spraying water over smoke-filled fields. Temperatures are also soaring over 40 degrees in Italy, the Balkans and Turkey. A motorway in Northern Italy was closed as burning temperatures caused roads to melt, local media reported. Italy's health ministry warned residents and tourists on Friday of soaring temperatures across the country, and issued a red alert for 21 cities this weekend - including Rome, Milan and Venice. People were advised to not go outdoors between 11:00 am and 6:00 pm, and to seek shelter in air-conditioned public places.
