The summer of 2023 was nothing short of extraordinary. While the UK is not typically known for its scorching summers, last year brought a series of weather events that have even left experienced meteorologists scratching their heads. From unexpected heatwaves to unseasonal storms, the weather in the UK during the summer of 2023 was certainly a rollercoaster ride of surprises!

The most notable feature at the start of last summer was the prolonged and intense heatwave experienced during June, with the sustained high temperatures beingexceptional. Indeed, June saw record-breaking temperatures, with some parts of the country reaching over 35 degrees Celsius – more similar to Mediterranean climates than typical British weather! This extreme heat caused concerns to be raised about droughts and water shortages. Farmers had to adapt their normal practices to cope with the heat and water shortages, and there were concerns about crop failures and reduced yields. Wildlife experts even noticed changes in animal behaviour patterns during June, due to their struggle to find water and to attempt to shelter from the scorching sun.

Just when it appeared that the heat and lack of rainfall would continue throughout the whole summer, suddenly everything changed, beginning with a drastic drop in temperature and followed by a series of severe storms that swept across the country in late July. These storms brought heavy rain, strong winds, and even hail to regions that rarely experience such weather during the summer months. Concerns then turned to flooding and property damage – which caught many communities off guard, particularly after the heat and drought of early summer.

Meteorologists struggled to explain this sudden shift from extreme heat to unseasonal storms, serving as a stark reminder that weather patterns can be highly unpredictable, and demonstrating that the effects of climate change may well cause more frequent weather extremes in the future.

Indeed, the extreme weather changes during last summer may give many readers cause for concern when considering their much-loved garden plants, and how to protect them in the future if these extremes become more and more common as is widely predicted. This highlights the importance of having an advanced irrigation system that provides an in-built ability to readily adapt to these changes.

Here’s where we can help! We supply highly advanced, Wi-Fi enabled irrigation controllers that can be conveniently linked to a local weather station – enabling your irrigation system to quickly adapt to whatever the rapidly changing weather throws at it. In fact, our advanced controllers even factor in past and also forecasted weather conditions, analysing temperature, rainfall, humidity and wind speed. This predictive watering adjustment therefore enables your irrigation system to provide exactly the right amount of water for your plants, each and every day. So don’t delay – visit our website today to future proof your irrigation system and protect your garden from the increasingly, extreme and unpredictable weather forecast for the future.