Bank holiday record for Wales as hottest place in UK

Llyn Brianne reservoir in Carmarthenshire on a sunny day, with blue skies and a few clouds. The foreground is blue water, showing the water levels of the reservoir, with trees and green scenery behind it.

Reservoirs like Llyn Brianne in Carmarthenshire are being monitored by Welsh Water during the warm weather

Holly Harrison
BBC News

Wales has recorded its hottest August bank holiday on record, with a Flintshire village confirmed as the UK's warmest spot.

Temperatures reached 29.6C in Hawarden, Flintshire, on Monday, overtaking the 29.3C recorded in Ross-on-Wye in Herefordshire over the border.

The hot spell is not expected to last, with Hurricane Erin set to bring rain and blustery conditions overnight.

Dwr Cymru Welsh Water said most reservoir levels remained "as expected for this time of year" and that it had "no concerns", despite demand rising sharply in hot weather.

While linking climate change with specific individual weather events can be difficult, scientists say that climate change is generally making bouts of hot weather longer, more intense and more frequent.

Earlier this summer Welsh Water placed parts of Ceredigion into a "developing drought" status, with reservoir levels recorded at 31% lower than the same time last year.

Natural Resources Wales has since declared drought status in south east Wales, highlighting environmental pressures such as low river flows and stressed fish populations.

A view from the stone pebble shore at Llyn Brianne. Across the water, the banks of the lake can be seen with horizontal bands of stone emerging out of the water. Beyond the stony banks are hills with grass on them.

Welsh Water says it has no concerns about reservoir levels despite the dry weather

Welsh Water, however, uses different criteria, focusing on customer supply rather than environmental impacts.

A Welsh Water spokesperson said: "Generally, we have no concerns about reservoir levels across our operating area, with most at levels we would expect at this time of year.

"We do however, see a large increase in usage during warm weather, and we would like to thank customers who stay hydrated but do their best not to waste any water.

"While there is no immediate risk to water supplies for the area, Welsh Water may have to take steps to ensure enough water remains to supply customers and to protect the local environment.

"The company has been carefully monitoring the situation for months and keeping a close eye on water levels at its reservoirs."

The warm weather is expected to break quickly, with Hurricane Erin moving across the UK overnight and bringing rain and strong winds.

Showers are forecast to spread east from Northern Ireland into Wales and much of England.

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