Rain Lashed So Odds Slashed On July Being Wettest On Record In UK

Bookmakers have slashed the odds on July 2015 being the wettest on record in the UK.

Following heavy rain over the weekend after wet weather swept in from the Atlantic, this month is set to be the wettest July in British history.

Many areas of the UK had up to an inch of rain on Sunday, with more than 10mm of rain falling in an hour in some regions.

The average monthly rainfall for July in parts of East Anglia is 52mm, but Norwich had 48mm of rain in 24 hours between Friday and Saturday morning.

It marks a huge change from the beginning of the month, when July 1 was the hottest day on record for the month, with temperatures reaching almost 37C.

Bookmaker Coral has slashed the odds on July 2015 being the wettest on record from 6-1 to 2-1.

“Punters have obviously been keeping a close eye on weather forecasts which all suggest we are set for more rain at the end of the month,” said Coral’s John Hill.

“At the start of this summer, we saw a lot of money for this year being the hottest since history books began. However, all the bets coming in now are for 2015 being the wettest on record.”

Ladbrokes, meanwhile, has suspended all betting on July being the wettest on record.

But some forecasters disagree with the bookies.

John Lee, a forecaster at MeteoGroup, said: “July was dry before this recent rainfall so I’m confident it won’t be the wettest July on record.

“In 2007 when there was flooding the average rainfall for the month across England and Wales was 136mm and I don’t think it will be more than that.”

(Picture: Rex)