Weather in the NEWS - the summer of 1997

Heavy rainfall brought flooding to many parts of southern England in the first week of August. A depression centred over the northern part of the Bay of Biscay trailed a cold front across the south and west of England, south Wales and Eire. Along the line of the cold front, high temperatures and humidity combined to create severe rain and thunderstorms bringing sudden and torrential rainfall.

Rainfall, along the line of the cold front, was substantial and rather unseasonal! In some places rain fell at a rate of over 25mm (1 inch) per hour with normal monthly rainfall totals being exceeded in a matter of just a few hours.

Some parts of the South West received over 75mm of rain (3 inches) in a 24 hour period. Flood warnings were issued by the Environment Agency for nine rivers - with alerts being issued for flooding in residential areas of Somerset, Devon and Cornwall.

The intense rainfall in August, together with earlier severe rain in June, has made 1997 the wettest summer for 30 years. Tourists in the West Country had made up their minds to head for home by the middle of the week - heading back to the Midlands and North which lay outside the cold frontal zone and in more normal summer sunshine! Whilst Somerset, Devon and Cornwall received torrential rain and floods, the Ashes Test Match at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, got underway in near perfect summer conditions.

A freak thunderstorm brought severe flooding to parts of East Devon on Thursday 7th August. 75mm of rain (3 inches) fell in just 45 minutes - 25mm (1 inch) of rain every quarter of an hour! This intense rainfall caused flash flooding as the river and water courses were unable to cope with the sudden and enormous influx of water.

Whilst East Devon suffered some of the worst conditions in memory, Birmingham enjoyed the warmest day of the year with a maximum temperature of 29 C (86 F).

Despite the enormous rainfall, water companies were still reporting the likelihood of hose pipe restrictions in some areas. With most of the rain falling in sudden but torrential downpours, the surface levels became saturated very quickly and further rain ran off into rivers and other water courses before there was time for the water to filter down to the underlying water-bearing rocks. The enormous rainfall has done little to replenish water stocks except where rivers feed into reservoirs.

August 7th 1997

Central European flooding at disaster level

Heavy rain has continued to swell the rivers of central Europe, leading to further widespread flooding. The River Oder in Southern Germany was reported to be rising at a rate of some 3cm per hour, forcing the evacuation of many thousands or people. Dykes that had prevented the river from flooding low lying areas for over 60 years were in danger of being breached as the water level rose. Cattle in the Oder region were reported to be swimming around in circles as farmers attempted to round them up from boats.

The weather forecast gave little hope for the next few days with further heavy rain forecast as frontal systems swept in from the Atlantic crossing Britain and Western Europe.

July 26th 1997

Typhoon brings torrential rainfall to Japan

Segment of GMS image of Japan - 26th July 1997

A typhoon (tropical cyclone) tracked across southern Japan today (Saturday 26th July) bringing torrential rainfalls. At Osaka, 18 inches (45mm) of rain fell over a 36 hour period. One local observatory recorded a total of 326mm (12 inches) of rain in 12 hours.

July 26th 1997

Dry weather fans forest fires in Southern France

The Marseilles region of southern France was suffering (Saturday 26th July) from widespread forest fires as flames swept across dry areas of forest fanned by the strong Mistral wind. Over 1500 firefighters were drafted in to the area to try to contain the fires which have already forced the evacuation of 1000 residents. Water carrying aircraft are being used to drop tonnes of water onto flaming woodland in an attempt to stem the advance of the flames - the aircraft land on the nearby Mediterranean Sea, scooping up quantities of sea water which is then released in low level passes over the flames.

July 26th 1997

Severe weather in Central Europe

Whilst Britain has been basking in the sun, with temperatures in the high 20's C (80's F) over much of the country, central Europe has been suffering from very heavy rainfall and flooding.

After many hours of torrential rainfall, many rivers in Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic have now burst their banks and flooded the surrounding areas. Thousands of people have had to be evacuated to escape the rising flood waters and more than 100 people have died this month (July). In Ople, southern Poland, 80 animals drowned when the zoo was flooded. Houses and blocks of flats were under 4m of water and the local population were told to listen for sirens warning of one hour to evacuate the town and leave their houses to the floods.

These latest floods follow on from earlier devastation only a fortnight previously. Central Europe has been hit by exceptional rainfall in June and July and now faces devastation from the floods across wide areas.

22nd July 1997

SNOW at Ayers Rock, Australia!

For the first time in recorded history, snow has fallen at Ayers Rock in the Northern Territory of Australia. Normally associated with extreme heat and desert conditions, Australia's Northern Territory has been surprised by a freak covering of 'the white stuff' at Ayers Rock.

Ayers Rock is a popular tourist destination in the Kata Tjuta National Park. Known by its Aboriginal name of Uluru, the rock is the world's largest monolith and rises to a height of 318m above the surrounding desert floor. The rock is famed with almost mystical powers in ancient aboriginal legend and visitors today travel to watch the rock changing colour as the sun sets.

The snow falls in early July 1997 were the first in recorded history. Aboriginal legends, handed down verbally from one generation to the next, have no stories of similar events so this was clearly an extremely unusual happening. The snow lasted for some 35 minutes before rapidly turning to slush and melting in the rising sun.

Northern Territory is now returning to normal - Fire Warnings are in force for the northern region (around Darwin) with bans being placed on fires in the open bush.

To check the latest conditions in Australia, visit the Australian Weather Bureau pages

20th July 1997

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