For more than forty years I have been taking climatic observations every three hours, during that time I have witnessed more frequent torrential rainfall events, some responsible for flooding on a vast scale such as the flood of summer 2007.

Earlier in my weather years these events were infrequent, but due to global warming and other influences these are becoming regular features and I feel they will become worst with time. Sometimes the upper jet stream locks into a very wet pattern, high over Europe slows down the approaching Atlantic Storm Systems over the UK.

This climatic set up brings us lengthy cloudbursts lasting over a longer period of time, this causing flooding. Summer thunderstorms are becoming much more intense, flash flooding then becomes a problem. The increase in sudden torrential cloudbursts falling on ground paved over, with more roads and buildings creates a situation where the drainage systems cannot cope with the extra water, it is then when areas away from river sources can witness flooding as sewer tops are lifted by the shear force of water, a nasty mix of flood water and sewerage then causes great problems. On some occasions, similar to the end of that notorious severe winter of 1946/47, a rapid thaw of deep snow coupled with heavy rains can and did cause severe flooding.

Next Week Fine Spells.

The answer to last weeks question: Rain Shadow.

This weeks question: What has caused an increase in heavy rainfalls.

A/ Warming of the globe.

B/ Cooling of the globe.

Best of Luck.

Glossary:

Fog: Water that has condensed close to ground level., producing a cloud of very small droplets which reduces visibility to less than 1 km (1,100 yd).

Weather for coming week (Monday-Friday) High pressure to the south and low to the north brings us a Tropical Maritime airmass on a south-westerly windflow from off the Atlantic.

Much of the coming week will be dry albeit rather cloudy at times, some sunshine in places with a muggy feel to the weather. Temperatures above the late August norm with humid warm nights.

Maximum temperature 22-26c 72-79f.

Minimum temperature 13-16c 55-61f.

Last Weeks Observations (Monday-Sunday) Highest day temperature...........21.9c on Thursday 21st August.

Lowest night temperature...........7.2c on Friday 22nd August.

Wettest day...............................5.0 mm on Monday 18th August.