Barbecue summer predicted

Britain expected to have first hot, dry summer in three years

Met office meteorologists are predicting an end to the cold, water-logged summers of the past two years.

They say the chances are better than 50% that we will see above average temperatures and low levels of rainfall, plus several small heatwaves.

Chief meteorologist, Ewen McCallum says it is odds on for a 'barbecue summer', and we can expect days when temperatures will exceed 30C.

The prediction will come as a relief for anyone forced to forgo a foreign holiday this summer because of the credit crunch and the dismal exchange rate with the Euro. And the good news is, the higher temperatures in 2009 might be a sign of better things to come.

'2007 and 2008 hit the pits of the misery index,' said Mr McCallum 'Record rainfall, windy, cloudy and temperatures were down. But we are more optimistic that we are going to get much better summers over the next few years.'

However, forecasters are at pains to point out that long range weather forecasts are not infallible.

'We're trying to give a measured view based on probabilities,' said Mr McCallum.

Have the forecasters got it right this time? Are you risking a holiday at home? Have your say...

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