
The areas set for half a month's worth of rainfall in less than a day
Northern Ireland is forecast to receive 50 to 75mm of rain within 12 to 18 hours, which is over half of the region's average July rainfall.
The heavy rainfall poses risks of flooding, power cuts, dangerous driving conditions, and the potential for some communities to be cut off by flooded roads.
A wider yellow weather warning for rain remains in place across Northern Ireland, with similar thunderstorm warnings affecting parts of Wales, South-West England, Scotland, and other areas of England.
Disruption to the Monday morning commute is expected, and residents are advised to check flood risks and take precautions to protect their properties.
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Reuters
10 hours ago
- Reuters
Danish police evacuate music festival amid heavy rain
COPENHAGEN, July 24 (Reuters) - Danish police evacuated a music festival on Thursday and warned people in the west coast city of Esbjerg to stay indoors amid flooding caused by a cloudburst. "Heavy rain came and we assessed that it was necessary to shut down the concert," a police spokesperson said. Police had initiated the evacuation of some 20,000 people, he said, adding there were no reports of injuries. Festival organisers said on Facebook that the rest of Thursday's programme would be cancelled due to safety concerns. Broadcasters DR and TV showed images of cars in Esbjerg that were partly submerged, and people wading through water in the city of around 71,500 inhabitants. "It is advised against going outside. Unnecessary driving is discouraged," the police said in a post on social media X. Several parts of the Scandinavian region are currently subject to flood warnings.


Telegraph
11 hours ago
- Telegraph
The 10 best beaches in Northern Ireland
Though the coastline of Northern Ireland is relatively short, it's peppered with some beautiful beaches, from tiny, pebbled coves to wide stretches of golden sands. And there's plenty to do beyond simply spreading a towel on the beach – you can try your hand at surfing, take a sauna on the sand or even stumble upon a herd of neighbourhood cows. And at some, you'll find top-notch seafood restaurants just off the shore, so you can tuck into the catch of the day with the scent of the ocean in the air. All our recommendations below have been hand selected and tested by our resident destination expert to help you discover the best things to do in Northern Ireland. Find out more below, or for further inspiration, explore our guides to Northern Ireland's best hotels, things to do, restaurants and nightlife. Benone Strand A sweeping stretch of golden sand, this beach has some of the best views in Northern Ireland – on a clear day you can see Donegal's Inishowen just over the water, and if you look up at the cliffs behind you'll see the historic dome of Mussenden Temple. It's a good spot for beginner surfing, too. Insider tip: The HotBox Sauna is right on the sand, so you can build up a sweat before you leap into the sea. Area: County Londonderry How to get there: Free parking at the beach entrance. Whitepark Bay This gentle curve of white sand isn't for everyone – it's a steep walk from the car park, and the rips mean you can't swim in the sea there. But that just adds to its secluded, remote feel. You might also spot cows wandering on the sand, which belong to a nearby farmer. Insider tip: This is prime birdwatching territory, so bring your binoculars. Area: County Antrim How to get there: There's free, but limited, parking. Portstewart Strand With picturesque sand dunes, gentle waves for bodyboarding and an exceptional restaurant right on the sand, Portstewart ticks loads of boxes on a beach wish list. It's a great spot for a walk, whether you stick to the sands or explore the trails in the dunes and the nearby Bann Estuary. Insider tip: Book a table at Harry's Shack, an excellent seafood restaurant overlooking the beach. Area: County Londonderry How to get there: Park at the National Trust car park on the beach. Helen's Bay It's hard to believe this tree-lined beach is barely 20 minutes from Belfast, but Helen's Bay is a little slice of coastal bliss just up the road from the capital. It's fairly small, so sunbathing spots fill up quickly, but the clear waters and lush grasses behind more than make up for that. Insider tip: If it's busy, walk 20 minutes along the coast to Crawfordsburn Beach, which is usually quieter. Area: County Down How to get there: Helen's Bay train station is a 10-minute walk away. Tyrella Beach This Blue Flag beach is a great spot if you like to keep active – there's a lifeguard in summer months, it's good for kayaking and you can ride horses, but only in the evening during summer. There are great views of the Mourne Mountains, too. Insider tip: The sand dunes are protected and are the habitat of rare lizards, so be careful when you're walking. Area: County Down How to get there: The main car park is free outside of the summer months. Murlough National Nature Reserve Just outside the Victorian seaside town of Newcastle, Murlough is home to undulating sand dunes, with lush green grass on one side and the sea on the other. When the tide is out, the beach is glorious, with a view of Slieve Donard at the end. Insider tip: The onward walk to Newcastle is beautiful, but look out for high tide, which can cut you off. Area: County Down How to get there: Parking is limited, so walk from Newcastle if it's full. Whiterocks Beach This cliff-lined beach (hence the name) is particularly striking, with rocky outcrops reaching out onto the sands featuring caves, arches and formations, and the remains of Dunluce Castle on the clifftop. It's a popular spot for water sports, from surfing and kayaking to snorkelling and diving around the caves. Insider tip: Walk the almost three-mile Whiterocks Coastal Path above, for great views over the beach. Area: County Antrim How to get there: Free parking. Cushendun Beach There's an old school sense of charm to this village, with white buildings lining the harbour and a peaceful little beach. Keep your eyes peeled for the neighbourhood seals, who can sometimes be seen on the shore. Insider tip: If you're a Game of Thrones fan, visit the Cushendun Caves at the other side of the harbour – it's where Melisandre birthed a shadow demon. Area: County Antrim How to get there: There's a car park behind the beach. Ballygally Beach This wide sandy beach is popular with families, due to the excellent sand castle potential and the playground near the main car park. It's good for swimming or paddling, and there are pretty rock pools at low tide. Insider tip: Ballygally Castle Hotel is right on the beach, if you're looking for a place to stay or a bite to eat. Area: County Antrim How to get there: The main car park is just over the road. Coney Island It might not be the most visually stunning in Northern Ireland, but there's a definite charm to Coney Island – after all, Van Morrison named a song after it. Not technically an island, this headland between Ardglass and Killough is lined with houses (many of which are holiday rentals) and is wonderfully peaceful. Insider tip: Be sure to select the Co Down Coney Island in your GPS, as there's another in the west of Ireland and one in Lough Neagh, too. Area: County Down How to get there: There's street parking. How we choose Every beach in this curated list has been expertly chosen by our destination expert, to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of areas and styles, from popular city beaches to lesser known corners – to best suit every type of traveller. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up to date recommendations. Return to top About our expert Nicola Brady I'm originally from Sussex, and I went on holiday to Ireland 16 years ago and never came back. While I'm now based in Dublin, I spent a decade living on the Northern Irish border and still visit regularly.


Daily Mirror
13 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Weather maps turn red as Brits enjoy 29C highs - see list of 32 hottest counties
The UK has enjoyed several heatwaves this year with long spells of sunshine and blue skies, and now weather maps show we are set for more scorching temperatures Brits are set for more sweltering conditions this month as weather maps again turn red and we could see highs of 29C. The UK so far has seen several heatwaves this year and the hottest day was recorded at St James's Park in London on July 1 where the mercury reached 34.7C, while parts of Essex and Kent also topped 33C. In recent weeks the weather has remained largely warm but it has also been mixed with some torrential downpours. And now maps from WXCharts show temperatures are about to surge again with most of England turning red on July 30 with highs of 29C forecast for the southeast. The maximum temperatures are forecast for London, Berkshire, Surrey and Oxfordshire, but the majority of England is also set for a beautiful day, with temperatures between 25C and 29C forecast from Plymouth up to Lincolnshire. Further north, it will reach the low 20Cs. The east coast in Norfolk and Suffolk could see highs of 27C at 6pm, Kent will be basking in 28C, Birmingham has been predicted a balmy 26C, while Leicester and Nottingham could enjoy highs of 26C and 27C. Further north and on the southwest coast, it will cool down slightly, although it will still be in the mid-20Cs in Cornwall, and in Manchester, it could reach a pleasant 22C. In the north of England, the east looks warmer than the west, meaning Liverpool could max out at around 20C. Moving inland towards Leeds, it reaches 23C, and on the east coast, Newcastle could enjoy highs of 22C. The Met Office long-range outlook between July 28 and August 6 also predicts that the highest chance of drier and sunnier weather is expected in the south and the east. It states: "A weather regime dominated by westerly winds is likely at first. This will likely bring rain and showers at times interspersed with periods of more settled weather. "The north and west will most likely be the focus of any wetter and windier weather, where there may be some prolonged spells of rain at times. The highest chance of drier and sunnier weather is expected to the east of hills, and across south and eastern areas. Later in the period if high pressure builds into the southwest settled weather may develop there too. "It will be breezy at times, especially in further north. Temperatures are most likely to be near to average or slightly above average for the time of year." Hottest counties above 25C Kent East Sussex West Sussex Hampshire Dorset Somerset Devon Cornwall Wiltshire Berkshire Surrey London Essex Norfolk Suffolk Cambridgeshire Hertfordshire Buckinghamshire Befordshire Berkshire Wiltshire Oxfordshire Gloucestershire Northampstonshire Lincolnshire Leicestershire Nottinghamshire Herefordshire Worcestershire Shropshire Staffordshire Derbyshire