Hot, dry summer in store, say forecasters - Society

This summer is going to be so dry and hot that Britain risks a drought as severe as that of 1976, forecasters have warned.

Gardeners will struggle to keep their flowers and lawns in good condition, while farmers will find it tough to water their crops and livestock.

The warnings raise the prospect of hosepipe bans lasting week after week for much of the country.

June and July are going to be particularly warm, with the likelihood of helpful volumes of rain only returning in August, they said.

It will, however, be excellent weather for sunbathing, if rather muggy.

The prediction comes as some eastern counties received just 5mm (0.2ins) of rain since February and after wildfires destroyed forests in Northern Ireland, the Scottish Highlands and Lancashire.

England and Wales have had the lowest rainfall in March and April since 1938 and last month was the warmest April in over 350 years, at an average in central England of 53F (11.9C).

Caroline Spelman, the Environment Secretary, this week warned that crops had already been "irreversibly" damaged by the warm weather, which is likely to cause food prices to rise.

However it is not just Britain who is suffering from the blistering sudden rise in temperatures, Both Dubai and Asia have decided to reschedule school timetables, as unbearable temperatures are a health and safety hazard for both staff and pupils.

Although the unbearable temperatures will bring about drawbacks for almost everyone, we can also benefit largely from it; you just need to know what the benefits are and how they apply to you.

One solution is installing solar panels before the sun arrives, and maximising your energy production, that could potentially last all the way through the crisp winter temperatures.

Although solar panels are a testament to today's technologies and science, some homeowners are not advised on the advantages of installing such sustainable products, as being fed the disadvantages.

Solar panels can last up to as long as 50 years, which is incredible in comparison to conventional boilers that generally start breaking down after a mere 5 years, and can be potentially dangerous when it is not thoroughly maintained.

Though the initial investment for solar panels can be impressionable, producing your own energy has got to be the cheapest solution around today, let alone the most ?green' with no carbon emissions emitted once installed.

Renewable heating incentives are another example of why solar panels should be installed in every home.? Installing solar panels on your property has never been so easy, as you will now be eligible for the RHI scheme. The government estimates how much renewable energy your system produces and a fixed amount is paid each year - up to 18p for every kWh of energy.

Make the most out of every situation: use the high temperatures to your advantage this year, by installing ?green' heating systems, and you will be rewarded with the renewable heating incentive.

Source: http://society.ezinemark.com/hot-dry-summer-in-store-say-forecasters-17f1c10086d.html

maundy thursday frank mccourt nancy grace martin scorsese phylicia barnes