eveningstandard--2019-04-20--UK weather forecast Temperatures could soar to record-breaking 27C on Easter Monday

UK weather forecast: Temperatures could soar to record-breaking 27C on Easter Monday

Temperatures could soar to a record-breaking 27C on Easter Monday as the UK basks in a mini-heatwave over the Bank Holiday.  The UK is currently enjoying hotter temperatures and more sunshine than in many parts of Europe including Corfu, Monaco and Majorca.  Under fine clear skies, most Brits can enjoy "dry, sunny and very warm conditions with temperatures rising" on Saturday and Sunday to a possible 26C and "maybe a 27C" on Easter Monday, Met Office forecaster Helen Roberts said.  The Met Office said it is set to be "a glorious day" in most areas, but that outbursts of rain which are expected to clip north-west Scotland on Saturday will be the exception.  The UK's warmest Easter temperature was the 29.4C recorded at London's Camden Square London on Easter Saturday in 1949.  The other warmest Easter weekend days include the 26.9C recorded at London's St James's Park on Good Friday in 2011 - when the mercury also reached 25.3C on Easter Sunday and 24C on Easter Monday, both in the Solent.  Ms Roberts said that these last two top temperatures are "ones to keep an eye on and could be broken" this weekend.  She said that the top temperature for this Good Friday was 24.5C at Wiseley in Surrey, ahead of plenty of varied sunshine for the rest of the UK.  Southern England and South Wales could wake up to some mist and fog, but that will burn away pretty quickly in the morning with the strong sunshine.  There is "a better picture" for north west Scotland on Easter Monday as they will lose the cloud and rain, according to Ms Roberts.  The 20.7C enjoyed in Aboyne, Scotland, in 2015, along with 21.6C in Brynamman, Wales, in 1984 and 19.4C in Armagh in Northern Ireland in 1924 are the top national temperatures recorded on Easter Sunday.  The warmest Easter Mondays recorded nationally were the 21.4C enjoyed in Culzean Caste, Scotland, in 2014, plus the 23.2C in Nantmoor in Wales and 21.1C in Knockarevan in Northern Ireland, both in 1984.  Bookmaker Ladbrokes has cut odds from 5/6 to just 8/11 for this year to see the hottest Easter Sunday on record.  Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: "Brits have been treated to a scorching start to the Easter weekend and things will only get hotter if the latest odds are anything to go by."


eveningstandard--2019-04-20--UK weather forecast Temperatures top 25C and could soar to record-breaking 27C on Easter Monday

UK weather forecast: Temperatures top 25C and could soar to record-breaking 27C on Easter Monday

Temperatures broke 25C in the UK on Saturday and could soar to a record-breaking 27C on Easter Monday.  The UK is currently basking in a mini bank holiday heatwave, enjoying hotter temperatures and more sunshine than in many parts of Europe including Corfu, Monaco and Majorca.  On Saturday, the temperature hit 25.5C in the UK, with the high figure recorded in Gosport, Hampshire.  This is the peak temperature in the UK so far in 2019.  Under fine clear skies, most Brits can enjoy "dry, sunny and very warm conditions with temperatures rising" on Sunday to a possible 26C and "maybe a 27C" on Easter Monday, Met Office forecaster Helen Roberts said.  The UK's warmest Easter temperature was the 29.4C recorded at London's Camden Square London on Easter Saturday in 1949.  The other warmest Easter weekend days include the 26.9C recorded at London's St James's Park on Good Friday in 2011 - when the mercury also reached 25.3C on Easter Sunday and 24C on Easter Monday, both in the Solent.  Ms Roberts said that these last two top temperatures are "ones to keep an eye on and could be broken" this weekend.  She said that the top temperature for this Good Friday was 24.5C at Wiseley in Surrey, ahead of plenty of varied sunshine for the rest of the UK.  Southern England and South Wales could wake up to some mist and fog, but that will burn away pretty quickly in the morning with the strong sunshine.  There is "a better picture" for north west Scotland on Easter Monday as they will lose the cloud and rain, according to Ms Roberts.  The 20.7C enjoyed in Aboyne, Scotland, in 2015, along with 21.6C in Brynamman, Wales, in 1984 and 19.4C in Armagh in Northern Ireland in 1924 are the top national temperatures recorded on Easter Sunday.  The warmest Easter Mondays recorded nationally were the 21.4C enjoyed in Culzean Caste, Scotland, in 2014, plus the 23.2C in Nantmoor in Wales and 21.1C in Knockarevan in Northern Ireland, both in 1984.  Bookmaker Ladbrokes has cut odds from 5/6 to just 8/11 for this year to see the hottest Easter Sunday on record.  Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: "Brits have been treated to a scorching start to the Easter weekend and things will only get hotter if the latest odds are anything to go by."


eveningstandard--2019-04-21--UK weather forecast Record-breaking Easter Sunday scorcher for Wales Scotland and Northern Ireland

UK weather forecast: Record-breaking Easter Sunday scorcher for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have each enjoyed their hottest Easter Sunday on record, the Met Office said.  Temperatures reached 23C in Trawsgoed, Wales, 22.8C in Edinburgh, Scotland, and 20.7C in Helen's Bay, Northern Ireland, by 2pm.  These beat the temperatures of 21.6C in Brynamman, Wales, in 1984, along with 20.7C in Aboyne, Scotland, in 2015, and 19.4C in Armagh in Northern Ireland dating back to 1924 which were the warmest Easter Sundays for those countries.  Wiggonholt in West Sussex, has recorded the highest temperature in England so far on this bright, sunny and dry Easter Sunday with a figure of 24.3C.  This is still below the top Easter Sunday temperature from 2011 when the mercury reached 25.3C in the Solent.  Britain’s beaches and parks are packed with sun worshippers as the UK continues to bask in a mini-heatwave.  Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna said: "We have got high pressure moving at the moment giving most of the UK a lot of fine weather, this combined with the fact that the high pressure has dominated for the past few days is allowing the temperatures to heat and build.  "It is allowing some record breaking temperatures to be set today and potentially tomorrow as we are looking at a high of 25C or 26C."  He also suggested that the temperatures may also be helped by the fact that Easter has fallen a little later in the calendar this year.  He said: "The later in the year that Easter falls, the higher the sun is in the sky and the stronger it is."  Many people are enjoying an Easter Day that is fine, dry and has plenty of sunshine which may be hazy for some in the north and west.  The Met Office said it will be cloudier, cooler and windier in the far north-west, with rain over north and north-west Scotland.  In "stark contrast" to the dry and sunny conditions in the UK, Spain and the Mediterranean are seeing showers and heavy downpours.  Met Office meteorologist Dean Hall added: "Spain is very unsettled as we go into Easter Monday. There are temperatures of 17C to 16C in Barcelona. There are certainly cooler conditions there compared to the UK."  Meanwhile, emergency crews tackled a large wildfire on the famous Ilkley Moor in West Yorkshire.  A helicopter has been brought in to help fight the fire.  More than 70 firefighters are at the scene, just south of the town of Ilkley, and police have being deployed to keep people away from the area. Officials have indicated that the blaze was started deliberately and have made arrests.  West Yorkshire Fire Service said on Sunday morning that 12 crews were on the moor using water jets and beaters.  A spokesman said: "Specialist wildfire units are also in attendance and a helicopter will be assisting with overhead water attack."  Sergeant Terri Green, from West Yorkshire Police, said on Twitter: "Please stay away from Ilkley Moor today. Deploying many officers to cordon it off due to dangerous conditions due to the fire. Going to need plenty of water and sun cream today for my team and I."  The dry, sunny and very warm temperatures have brought high risk of wildfires in Yorkshire and north-west England, and a moderate likelihood for Wales and south-west England, according to the Met Office.


eveningstandard--2019-04-24--UK weather forecast Thunderstorm warning in force as Met Office warn of travel disruption and power

UK weather forecast: Thunderstorm warning in force as Met Office warn of travel disruption and power cuts

Heavy thunderstorms are expected to cause power loss, flooding and disrupt travel across the North and West of England.  The Met Office has issued a yellow thunderstorm warning as a huge storm is set to move in across parts the country between 1pm and 9pm today.  After the Bank Holiday heatwave, which saw record-breaking Easter Monday temperatures in parts of the country, stormy and rainy weather is now expected to descend across the UK for the rest of the week.  The London Marathon on Sunday may escape the rainy weather as cloudy skies are currently forecast with a 10 to 20 per cent chance of precipitation.  Temperatures are expected to be around 10-13 degrees from 10am to 7pm as runners take to the capital’s streets.  The thunderstorm warning covers from Leicester up to Carlisle and Manchester across to York.  Possible damage to a few buildings and structures from lightning strikes are expected, while short term power loss and possible delays to train services are also possible.  The Met Office warns that there is “a good chance that driving conditions will be affected by spray, standing water and/or hail, leading to longer journey times by car and bus.  “Flood of a few homes and businesses is possible.”  Martin Bolwes, a Met Office meteorologist said heavy rain, large hail stones and gusts of 30-35mph winds will hit areas within the warning zone.  He said: “The heavier showers we are expecting 20mm or 30mm in over two hours.  "It is enough to cause flooding on roads, under railways and some very large puddles but only certain localised which will get those rains.”  “Places outside of that area, for example, North Wales, are likely to get thunderstorms this afternoon, but these will be minor compared to the warning area which is where disruption is most probable.”  He advised people planning to travel to “slow down and take extra care in heavy showers.”  “Drive slower if any thunderstorms hit the area where you are driving as hail stones and heavy rain may hit the road.  “Take extra care while travelling around. A good idea if you’re in a thunderstorm to take shelter if you’re out walking and wait for the storm to pass.  “Anywhere in the warning area trains could possibly be disrupted."


eveningstandard--2019-05-04--UK weather forecast Brits brace for freezing Bank Holiday weekend as mercury to plunge to -4C bring

UK weather forecast: Brits brace for freezing Bank Holiday weekend as mercury to plunge to -4C bringing widespread frost and hail

Brits are braced for a wintry Bank Holiday weekend with temperatures set to plummet to -4C.  Parts of the country will see temperatures almost ten degrees lower than average for this time of year as forecasters warned of widespread frosts and hail during the weekend.  It will also be much colder than the same time last year, when the mercury hit 28.7C in Northolt, west London, making it the hottest early May Bank Holiday weekend since records began.  Forecasters warned some parts of the UK will only reach highs of 2C on Saturday.  Met Office forecaster Simon Partridge said there will be "plenty of sunny spells for the majority of the country on Saturday but the further east you go the more likely you are to see showers, with hail quite likely."  He told the Standard: "Temperatures to start the weekend could reach 13C maximum, most likely in south and south-west of the UK but if you’re exposed it will feel like 2C, with a very cold feel down the east coast.  "Overnight it will be cold with clear skies, showers in the east gradually easing off. Widespread frost is likely, we could see as low as -4C in western parts of the UK."  Temperatures will be slightly warmer on Sunday, with dry spells and temperatures of up to 14C after a frosty evening.  "For Sunday it's a fairly similar picture, much of the UK will be dry with sunny spells. Late showers are possible but very few and far between," Mr Partridge said.  "Overnight into Monday the forecast remains largely the same, light winds with clear skies, showers continuing in the far northeast but plenty of clear skies mean it will be another frosty night to come."  Forecaster Richard Miles added: "Saturday will be the worst day of the Bank Holiday weekend in terms of chilly showers and possible hail on the east coast, though Sunday and Monday will be a lot more settled.  "Sheltered, hilly areas in the north and Scotland could see colder and wintry weather in the evening from a northerly direction.  "The west should escape most of the colder weather, in Wales it could actually be quite nice, normal weather and the same in parts of Northern Ireland, as most places go to double figures during the day."  The lowest temperature recorded on the early May bank holiday was -6.4C in Grantown-on-Spey in Scotland in 1981 and in Kinbrace in Scotland in 1988.


eveningstandard--2019-05-21--UK weather forecast sunny Bank Holiday weekend predicted but thereaposs rain on the way too

UK weather forecast: sunny Bank Holiday weekend predicted, but there's rain on the way too

Brits are facing a warm and largely sunny bank holiday weekend, but a few scattered showers mean umbrellas shouldn’t be tossed aside yet, forecasters have warned.  The first half of the week will continue to offer a taste of summer, with the mercury set to reach highs of 22C on Tuesday and 23C on Wednesday in London and the south east.  However, temperatures will start to drop towards the seasonal average on Thursday, according to the Met Office.  “We can expect to see temperatures dip to around 18 or 19C in the south, and 15 to 16C in the north during the second half of the week, so things will start to feel cooler,” Met Office meteorologist Emma Smith told the Standard.  “We can expect a few light showers across the country, particularly on Saturday, which could see some showery outbreaks.  “But generally we’ll have plenty of useable weather, meaning people will be able to get out and about over the bank holiday weekend.”  Southeast England will see the best of the weather, with breezier conditions in the southwest.  Scotland will notice some improvements as the weather brightens up after a showery start to the week, but Northern Ireland could suffer heavier outbreaks moving into the weekend, the Met Office predicts.  Ms Smith dampened hopes for an imminent heatwave, saying: “I’d love it if that was on the horizon for the weekend, but although the weather will be good enough for people to get out their barbeques, they’ll probably need a jumper.”  The disappointment comes after the UK enjoyed its warmest Easter Monday on record last month, with temperatures reaching 25C in some parts of the country.


eveningstandard--2019-05-26--Bank holiday Monday weather forecast Rain expected across UK Met Office says

Bank holiday Monday weather forecast: Rain expected across UK, Met Office says

Bank holiday Monday is set to be a grim washout for many parts of the country, according to weather forecasters.  The Met Office warned the north and Midlands in particular could endure heavy rain, with thunder also a possibility.  Becky Mitchell, a Met Office meteorologist, told the Standard: “Everywhere across the country is going to see showers.  “There will also be lots of winds compared to Sunday, while some of the showers could be on the heavy side across the northern and central parts.  “There could also be the odd rumble of thunder.”  But she added it’s better news for people in the south, which will see “the best of the dry and bright weather” on Monday.  Temperatures are expected to reach 20C in the south, while the mercury will typically measure at 14C to 15C in the north.  In London, temperatures will peak at 18C on a largely cloudy day, with a 40 per cent chance of showers in the evening.  It follows grey and wet spells in the UK on Sunday, with cooler conditions also expected overnight compared to recent humid evenings.  Ms Mitchell added: “It will be quite windy across the northern half of the UK on Sunday evening, with a scattering of showers.”  But for the south, see added “it will be quite calm and dry – so there is very much a north/south split."  As Brits head back to work on Tuesday, the Met Office said it will be cool, bright and showery in the north and further south.


eveningstandard--2019-05-28--London weather forecast UK set for scorching 30C heat this weekend

London weather forecast: UK set for scorching 30C heat this weekend

Brits are set to bask in scorching 30C heat this weekend, with temperatures expected to be higher than in Ibiza and St Tropez.  While the end of May will be cool and damp for many, tropical air will arrive in the country by Saturday bringing a balmy start to June.  Forecasters predict London and the south-east will get the best of the weather once the mercury soars.  Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge said: "The indication is that we could see highs of 28C (82F), isolated highs of around 28C, on Saturday, and the most likely candidate places for those would be places like Norwich, north London, those sorts of areas away from the coast, but in the south-east corner of the UK.  "And on Sunday we could see highs of 29C, even possibly 30C.  "So Sunday looks very much as though it's going to be a warmer day than Saturday. So we have got that warmth coming through.  "Once this warm front, and the air behind it, starts to pull across the UK then we will see temperatures starting to rise."  However a potential frost is expected before the hot weather arrives.  Mr Madge said conditions have been quite cool and there is a possibility of sleet and even snow showers in the Scottish highlands.  Parts of England could see a frost in isolated areas on Tuesday night and the next few days.  There will be a "fundamental change" once the warm front, known as tropical maritime air, starts to draw the warmer air across the UK, the Met Office spokesman said.  "Tonight, for example, some parts of England could see a frost before this warm front starts to work its way across.  "We're expecting its arrival overnight so probably getting into the western parts of Britain by just after midnight.  "And then it will work its way across, reaching all parts of the UK by later in the week and the weekend," he said.  Bookmaker Coral makes this June 2-1 to be the hottest since records began.


eveningstandard--2019-05-31--UK weather forecast Brits set for sizzling temperatures up to 29C this weekend

UK weather forecast: Brits set for sizzling temperatures up to 29C this weekend

The mercury is set to soar this weekend with the hottest day of the year predicated for parts of the UK.  According to the Met Office, the south-east of England could see the mercury rise to 29C.  The joint warmest days of 2019 so far were April 19 and May 15, recording highs of 25.8C, in a year that saw all four of the UK nations reach their warmest Easter Monday on record.  A mixed weekend is forecast due to the high pressure dominating much of Saturday being replaced by low pressure on Sunday.  A Met Office spokesman said: "The heat tomorrow (Saturday) is going to be limited to south and east really, some parts of England and Wales, but with the main emphasis on the south-east corner and East Anglia.  "There will be some medium and high-level cloud around. It will make the sunshine a bit hazy at times so not necessarily wall-to-wall blue skies, it'll be feeling quite humid as well.  "A similar figure again on Sunday in the south-east. Although the heat will be much more limited, we could still reach those sorts of temperatures."  Northern England will be significantly cooler than the south on Saturday, with the average at around 18C.  "The dividing line really is northern England for tomorrow (Saturday)," the spokesman continued.  "Scotland, Northern Ireland and perhaps parts of northern England will not be necessarily particularly wet, but certainly a good deal cooler.  "We've got that rain pushing in from the west on Sunday, so Scotland will see some quite persistent rain on Sunday.  "Northern Ireland will see some rain and other western parts of England and Wales too."  The average temperature for June is 17C (62.6F) and it is likely that most of the UK should be warmer on Saturday.


eveningstandard--2019-06-23--UK weather forecast Warnings over thunderstorms and torrential rain before temperatures soar for G

UK weather forecast: Warnings over thunderstorms and torrential rain… before temperatures soar for Glastonbury Festival

Forecasters have issued weather warnings across most of the UK as thunderstorms and torrential rain roll in.  Three separate severe warnings for storms and rain are in place in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland on Monday, with up to 80mm of rain possible in some parts.  A further yellow warning for thunderstorms is in place on Tuesday, before temperatures soar towards the mid-30s.  By Friday, the mercury could peak at about 33C, with Glastonbury Festival-goers expected to see some of the hottest temperatures in Britain.  It comes amid a heatwave that has been forecast across Europe, potentially bringing record temperatures of 40C to the continent.  Met Office meteorologist Simon Partridge told the Standard: “On Monday we are getting three weather warnings across the UK. Two run from midnight to midnight.  “The first is a rain warning in eastern Scotland. 20 to 40mm of rain is expected to fall quite widely and some isolated places could see up to 80mm.  “The second warning is a thunderstorm warning for the majority of England and Wales. 20mm of rain is expected to fall widely with 60mm is possible in isolated spots.  “A final thunderstorm warning is in place for Northern Ireland.  “There is a lot of warm and humid air across southern parts of the UK which will allow the thunderstorms to develop.  “The band of rain across Scotland isn’t really going anywhere but away from Scotland there will be a mix of sunny spells and storms. It will be warm, with temperatures peaking at about 27 or 28C in East Anglia.  “A more focused patch of thunder storms will move over the country on Tuesday, with another weather warning in place from midnight to midnight for southern and eastern parts of England.  “60mm of rain could fall in some places but the rest of the UK will be dry with sunny spells. Temperatures could peak again at 28C in the south."  The rest of the week will see warm and sunny weather for most as the mercury continues to climb, Mr Partridge added.  He said: “From Wednesday high pressure will become more dominant so there will be a reduced risk of showers and thunder, there will be more sunshine and warmer temperatures.  “By the time we get to Friday the hotter temperatures will be further to the south and west and we could see temperatures of 32 or 33C at Glastonbury.”


eveningstandard--2019-06-26--Europe weather forecast as it happened aposhellapos heatwave sweeps continent leaving at least

Europe weather forecast as it happened: 'hell' heatwave sweeps continent leaving at least three dead

Temperatures are set to soar above 40C as the Saharan bubble hits Europe.  June records have been broken in Germany, with Spain and France expecting 45C heat into the weekend.  Three people died in southern France on Tuesday as the country struggled to cope with the extreme weather.  Britain is also set to bake on Friday and Saturday as the mercury rises above 30C, with the hottest ever Glastonbury Festival expected.


eveningstandard--2019-07-19--UK weather forecast Thunderstorms to hit Britain ahead of sweltering 32C heatwave

UK weather forecast: Thunderstorms to hit Britain ahead of sweltering 32C heatwave

Thunderstorms are set to hit Britain ahead of a scorching 32C heatwave.  The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings for Scotland, with three days of relentless rain set to drench the west of the country from Sunday.  But southern Britain could see temperatures reach the low to mid-30s at the start of next week, with 32C temperatures predicted in London on Tuesday.  On Friday in the UK the picture is less dramatic, as schools across England and Wales break for the summer holidays.  Temperatures will peak at 21C in Manchester, but heavy showers could impact driving conditions in Wales and the west and south-west of England, the Met Office warned.  “This band of rain will then move east and north-eastwards, bringing potential bouts of thunder to the south-east,” meteorologist Nicky Maxey told the Standard.  Saturday will be brighter “with the odd burst of rain in the east and further thundery showers possible in the north-east,” she said.  Scotland will enjoy a bright and clear day today, but conditions will gradually deteriorate before heavy rain sweeps the west of the country at the end of the weekend.  From 6pm on Sunday to 6am on Tuesday, up to 100mm of rain could fall in the area sparking flooding and travel disruption, the Met’s yellow weather alert warns.  “Scotland and parts of northern England can expect 36 hours of solid rain,” Ms Maxey warned.  “We could see 40mm to 60mm between Sunday and Tuesday in some areas, with isolated patches seeing up to 100mm.”  However, London and large swathes of southern England and Wales should see fine and bright conditions on Sunday before temperatures rise above 30C.  It comes as parts of southern Spain and southern France brace for highs of 40C from Monday, just weeks after a heatwave triggered record temperatures across Europe.


eveningstandard--2019-07-25--UK heatwave 2019 LIVE Latest weather forecast on aposhottest day ever in Londonapos

UK heatwave 2019 LIVE: Latest weather forecast on 'hottest day ever in London'

The UK is set to see the hottest day on record, as forecasters warn temperatures could soar to 39C.  The record for the hottest July day has already been broken, after temperatures of 37.7 °C were recorded at Kew Gardens and Writtle, Essex.  It beat the previous record of 36.7C, set in Heathrow in July, making it the second hottest day since records began.  The hottest temperature ever recorded in the UK was 38.5C in Faversham, Kent, in August 2003.


eveningstandard--2019-07-26--UK weather forecast Heavy rain to sweep across Britain after record-breaking heatwave

UK weather forecast: Heavy rain to sweep across Britain after record-breaking heatwave

Brits face up to 100mm of rain this weekend as heavy downpours and cooler temperatures move in after days of record-breaking heat.  Forecasters say unsettled conditions will spread across the UK for most of this weekend and into next week.  Severe weather warnings for rain will be in place in parts of the country until Sunday afternoon, the Met Office said.  It comes as a stark contrast to the sizzling temperatures from the last few days, which saw what could go down as hottest day on record in the UK as the mercury soared above 38C.  Met Office spokesman Marco Patagna said the weekend weather will be “quite a contrast to the last few days".  “We have a rainfall warning out until tomorrow morning for southeast Scotland," he said.  “As you get into tomorrow most of parts of the UK are cloudy with outbreaks of rain.  “And there is another yellow rainfall warning from 9am until Sunday at 3am for Northern Ireland, south Scotland and the north and east of England.”  Mr Marco added the UK could see 40 to 60mm downpours on Saturday with local rural areas expecting up to 100mm.  “But tomorrow for west Wales, and southwest England, most of the day doesn’t look too bad,” he said. “There will be some sunshine in those areas.”  For Saturday, temperatures will range from 18 to 23C across the country.  Mr Marco said that on Sunday: “It stays pretty unsettled but the rain shifts more towards the west.  “Most of the rain will be across northern England, Wales, the Midlands and parts of the southeast.”  Sunday temperatures will stay around the high teens low 20s but might hit 24C in the southeast.  “Generally temperatures are closer to average than they have been recently,” Mr Marco said.  He said changeable conditions continue until later in the week when the UK can expect dryer weather, although temperatures remain cool.


eveningstandard--2019-08-07--UK weather forecast Danger to life warnings as Britain braces for weekend washout of aposunseason

UK weather forecast: Danger to life warnings as Britain braces for weekend washout of 'unseasonable' stormy weather

Britain is bracing itself for "unseasonal" heavy wind and rain this weekend that has sparked danger to life warnings for parts of the UK, as well as yellow weather warnings for London.  Much of the UK will be sunny tomorrow with relatively light winds, bringing temperatures of low 20s for most of England and Wales but high teens for Northern Ireland and Scotland.  However, a band of cloud and rain coming from the south will creep in on Thursday, drenching the Channel Islands and the southern counties with showers.  Forecasters said it was a sign of "things to come" as the cloud is linked to an area of low pressure that is connected to wet and "unseasonably windy weather".  It will move in Thursday night and through Friday with the Met Office issuing weather warnings.  Met Office spokesman Oliver Claydon said: "This unseasonable weather is due to an area of particularly low pressure from the Atlantic.  "Thursday evening is when it will hit and then it will move northeastwards from Friday through Saturday, reaching Scotland and northeast England Friday evening.  "There are two parts to this weather front which is the high winds and also thundery showers."  The Met Office said the weather front is the kind that is normally expected in autumn and winter.  They added: "It is very unusual for wind to be this strong at this time of year. Especially with trees in full leaf, it means it could impact more.  "Winds will reach 40mph inland but the southeast coast, and around Bristol could see winds of 50mph.  "But London, despite being in the southeast, can expect winds of 40mph."  Gale force winds could be so extreme this weekend that it has led to organisers of the Boardmasters music festival to cancel the event just hours before it was due to open.  The decision was based on advice from the police and independent safety advisers.  In a statement, the festival said: "The safety of you, the fans and attendees, as well as performers and crew comes first, and the potential risk is too severe for the event to go ahead at this time."  A danger to life warning remains in place for the River Goyt in Whaley Bridge in the Peak District.  Emergency services are currently battling to prevent the Toddbrook Reservoir dam from bursting.  Yellow weather warnings have been issued for London on Friday and Saturday.  The capital can expect overnight heavy rain followed by scattered heavy, thundery showers.  These will continue most widely through Saturday with strong gales, but the showers and winds should ease off by Sunday.  There is a chance homes and businesses could be flooded and spray, as well as flooding, could lead to dangerous driving conditions.  A yellow warning has also been issued for much of England and Wales.


eveningstandard--2019-08-08--UK weather forecast More events cancelled as forecasters warn of thunderstorms and 60mph gales

UK weather forecast: More events cancelled as forecasters warn of thunderstorms and 60mph gales

A series of festivals and events have been cancelled across the country as Britons brace for a weekend of thundery rain and gale-force winds.  Severe warnings for thunderstorms and “disruptive” winds have been issued across the UK on Friday and Saturday, with forecasters warning of potential floods and travel disruption.  The Met Office said there could also be winds of 60mph, with Scotland and Northern Ireland expected to see the worst of the wet weather.  “Southern England and Wales will see a rash of heavy and thundery showers on Friday, with the threat of gales of up to 60mph on Saturday,” a Met Office meteorologist told the Standard.  “Scotland and Northern Ireland will be worst hit by the deluge on Friday, developing into thundery, torrential downpours on Saturday.”  The updated forecast has led to more event cancellations, after Boardmasters music festival was pulled just hours before it was set to open on Wednesday.  Houghton Festival in Norfolk, which was meant to run from midday today until Monday afternoon, was called off at the eleventh hour, while Plymouth Pride announced it would have to reschedule its parade from Saturday to a later date.  The Norfolk festival posted on its Facebook page on Thursday: “Tragically, following this morning’s reports and further consultation with authorities, health and safety and all the festival directors, the decision has been made to cancel Houghton 2019.  Pride in Plymouth issued its own statement on Wednesday, saying: “The potential risk is too severe for the event to go ahead at this time. Our ethos is to create a safe space for ALL and sadly the weather will prevent us from doing this on Saturday.  “If we can not secure the infrastructure required for the event to proceed at a later date this year then all monies raised supporting this years event will go towards next year’s Pride.”  The cancellation of Boardmasters was met by an outcry from festivalgoers, some of whom had already travelled hundreds of miles to attend.  But organisers of the Newquay festival, which was due to be headlined by the Wu-Tang Clan and Florence + The Machine, said the risks from the intense weather were too high to hold the event as planned.  "The safety of you, the fans and attendees, as well as performers and crew comes first," they announced in a statement.  The Met Office has described the weather as “unseasonable”, saying Saturday would feel "more like autumn than August."  This was due to an area of particularly low pressure from the Atlantic, the national forecaster explained.  “It is very unusual for wind to be this strong at this time of year. Especially with trees in full leaf, it means it could impact more,” they added.  Meteorologist Sarah Kent said some parts of the UK could see more than two inches of rain between Thursday and Saturday.  "The first band of rain could bring 30mm of rain in places, and if you draw the short straw, then you could get another 30mm with the showers that follow,” she said.  She added that it would “be unseasonably windy", with gusts in the warning area reaching 40mph or 50mph.  In more exposed areas, the winds could be even higher, with the English Channel coast seeing gales reaching in excess of 60mph.  Conditions for Sunday are less certain, forecasters said.  “Things are looking pretty changeable at the moment. Watch this space,” said Mr Claydon.


eveningstandard--2019-08-12--UK weather forecast Downpours set to last aposuntil end of Augustapos

UK weather forecast: Downpours set to last 'until end of August'

Thunderstorms and heavy downpours are set to hit the UK this week, as Brits face what could be one of the wettest Augusts on record.  Severe thunderstorm warnings are in place for London and the south east on Monday, with the chance of flooding, travel disruption and power cuts, the Met Office warns.  Further north, a yellow weather warning will be in place overnight from Chester to Lancaster, as forecasters warn of heavy rain and further flood risks.  Regular heavy downpours could continue into the last week of the month - with potentially enough rainfall to make it the wettest August on record.  The previous high, in 1912, saw an average of 167.6mm across the country.  Met Office forecaster Becky Mitchell said: “It’s been pretty wet and it looks like it’s going to stay that way until the last week of August. Only then are we expecting to see a break in the clouds.”  Fellow meteorologist Bonnie Diamond said: "This week there's going to be a fresher feel, winds from the north bringing cooler temperatures than we've seen in a while.  "It's going to be an unsettled week with periods of low pressure bringing rain and wind at times, especially on Wednesday and Friday. We're looking at top temperatures in the high teens."  Monday's yellow weather warning, stretching from the English Channel, westwards towards Portsmouth and north over Essex, brings the possibility of localised flooding and travel disruption.  Ms Diamond added: "There's the possibility of up to 40-60mm of rain in just a couple of hours in some places. That's some pretty heavy downpours."  After a more settled day on Tuesday, the wet and windy weather will then return midweek, with more widespread showers across the UK.  Ms Diamond explained: "Overnight Tuesday into Wednesday, an area of low pressure is bringing a band of rain across the whole country.  "Wednesday is going to be a pretty wet day."  The bleak outlook follows a weekend of unseasonable heavy rain and 60mph gales, in which some parts of the country saw as much rain in 48 hours as they typically get over the whole month of August.  More than 70mm of rain fell in Cumbria on Saturday, with the RAF station of Spadeadam being the worst hit.  The Met Office said 71.4mm fell at the facility on Saturday - compared to a monthly average of 82.4mm for August in the region.  Train lines were blocked by flooding between Cumbria and Scotland and between Blackburn and Clitheroe, as travellers across the UK were hit by delays and disruption.  Elsewhere, ferry passengers heading into Dover faced delays of five hours as tug boats battled the weather to guide them into port.  The Environment Agency issued three flood warnings on Sunday night urging “immediate action” and 20 “be prepared” flood alerts across the North of England


eveningstandard--2019-08-21--UK weather forecast latest August Bank Holiday could be hottest ever recorded

UK weather forecast latest: August Bank Holiday could be hottest ever recorded

The last bank holiday of the year could be the hottest one ever recorded in August, forecasters said.  The upcoming bank holiday weekend could see record temperatures replace the wind and rain that has so far dogged the month, it is predicted.  From Friday, south-easterly winds will draw warm air from Europe towards the UK, bringing rising temperatures along with dry and settled weather.  And by Monday, temperatures may reach 33C (91.4F) - which would set a new record for the late bank holiday weekend.  Chief meteorologist Steve Willington said: "We've had a fairly wet and windy August so far, however that's going to change this weekend as we see high temperatures, sunshine and light winds return.  "On Saturday and Sunday there'll be plenty of sunshine across the country with temperatures reaching into the mid-20s Celsius for many - it'll be warmest in south-eastern parts where 30C (86F) is possible.  "By bank holiday Monday itself temperatures will rise further with around 33 Celsius possible in the South East - which would set a new record for the coming bank holiday weekend."  The highest record temperature for the late August bank holiday weekend is 31.5C (88.7F) at Heathrow Airport in 2001.  And the sunny spell could set a swathe of new records around the country, with the current hottest late summer bank holiday in Wales standing at 27.3C (81.1F) at Velindre, Powys, in 2013.  The Northern Ireland record is 27C (80.6F) recorded in Knockaraven, Co Fermanagh in 2003. Monday is not a bank holiday in Scotland.  The warm weather would arrive just in time for Notting Hill Carnival, one of London’s biggest celebrations.  Thousands are expected to flock to west London for the event and could face better weather than last year, where revellers were blighted with persistent rain.  Last month saw the highest temperature ever recorded in the UK - with the mercury reaching 38.7C (101.7F) at Cambridge University Botanic Garden on July 25. That exceeded the previous record of 38.5C (101.3F) set in Faversham, Kent, in August 2003.  RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said with summer returning in time for the weekend those going out for day trips and short breaks should check their vehicle before setting out.  "Tyre pressure and tread, as well as oil and coolant levels, should all be looked at and doing so can really cut the chances of breaking down," he said.  HM Coastguard has urged those planning a trip to the coast at the weekend to follow their safety tips.  "Warm weather is forecast for much of the country this weekend and whatever the weather, the bank holiday is when many people quite rightly want to make the most of our wonderful coastline and beaches," said Bev Allen, maritime operations controller.  - Do not jump into the water from piers, rocks, cliffs or other structures that can lead to fatal incidents.  - Look out for lifeguards, and choose beaches where lifeguards are on duty and take note of their advice, especially when you want to enjoy a swim.  - Swim parallel to the shore and avoid most harbours and fast-flowing water.  - Don't get carried away: Inflatables are not suitable for use in the sea and they can go from fun to potentially deadly in minutes, so best save them for swimming pools. Tide conditions, the wind and any changes in the weather can very quickly sweep them out to sea and beyond safe depths.


eveningstandard--2019-09-08--UK weather forecast Britain braced for one of coldest winters in 30 years as Beast from the East ex

UK weather forecast: Britain braced for one of coldest winters in 30 years as Beast from the East expected to return

A new "Beast from the East" could soon hit the UK as scientists warn Britain may experience one of its coldest winters in 30 years.  A freezing vortex of Artic air will dominate the UK in less than four months, bringing with it icy temperatures and snow which could last for weeks, scientists say.  Climate experts from University College London have analysed current sea temperatures and the system over the north Atlantic and predicted extreme weather will hit this winter.  Led by professor Mark Saunders, the team told The Sunday Times: "This would rank the 2020 January-February central England temperature as the coldest winter since 2013."  They added: "It would also rank January-February 2020 as the seventh coldest winter in the past 30 years.  "There is a 57 per cent chance the central England temperature will be colder than in 2018, thus making it the coldest January-February since 2013."  Last year, the Beast from the East saw temperatures drop to as low as -14C in the Cairngorms in Scotland.  Nearly 60cm of snow fell in Gloucestershire while bitterly cold winds reached up to 70mph.  Sixteen people, including a seven-year-old girl, died as a result of the weather.


eveningstandard--2019-09-29--UK weather forecast Floods hit parts of country as Britain braces for three days of heavy rain

UK weather forecast: Floods hit parts of country as Britain braces for three days of heavy rain

Parts of the UK have been hit by flooding after a day of heavy downpours left sections of the transport section struggling to cope amid treacherous travel conditions.  As the north of England was forecast to see up to 70mm of rain in 24 hours, the Environment Agency issued 61 localised flood warnings across England and Wales, plus 169 alerts for possible flooding.  Severe weather warnings have been issued for north west England and south west England and parts of Wales on Sunday.  And forecasters have warned of yet more rain to come, with the Met Office predicting a further 70mm could fall on Monday over the highest areas in the UK.  Further yellow weather warnings for rain have been issued for Monday and Tuesday.  Alex Burkill, a meteorologist with the Met Office, said: "Monday is going to start off pretty fine for most places, however a system is going to come in through the day reaching south-west England and Wales by 10am tomorrow morning and spreading eastwards as we go through the day.  "By evening rush hour, much of England and Wales will be pretty wet."  Northern Ireland and Scotland are due some more sunshine after a fairly bright day on Sunday.  Mr Burkill added: "Monday will be another very wet one for England and Wales but for Scotland and Northern Ireland, they are going to have another fairly dry day, just a few showers and some bright spells."  He said parts of England and Wales could see highs of 19C (66.2F) or 20C (68F), a little above average for the time of year, but this would be masked by the wind and rain.  "It's not going to feel pleasant by any means," he said.  By 4.30pm on Sunday, Northern Rail was warning passengers to expect delays and cancellations on its services for the rest of the day as it struggled to deal with the deluge.  Trains between Blackpool North and Preston were suspended due to flooding, stretches of track in Cheshire were also hit and speed restrictions were put in place between Wigan and Southport, and Leeds and Harrogate.  There was no service from Sheffield to Manchester due to water on the tracks, and there were speed restrictions in the opposite direction.  The rail operator warned it had imposed speed restrictions on many parts of its network due to safety concerns.  Northern Rail asked cycling fans turning out for the final day of the UCI Road World Championships in North Yorkshire to rethink their travel plans after the route had to be changed to avoid flooding.  The fanzone in Harrogate also had to be closed.  Despite the heavy weather, the Men's Elite Road Race went ahead although organisers had to amend the route to skip some of the most scenic parts of the Upper Dales.  Undeterred, thousands of fans lined the route with umbrellas and wellies to watch one of the biggest events on the cycling calendar.  Richard Flinton, chief executive of North Yorkshire County Council, said: "We were really disappointed for the race organisers as they had to take the decision to curtail the route.  "We were particularly sorry for those communities in Reeth and Grinton who were looking forward to the race after the difficulties they have faced during July's flash floods.  "(The) decision was unavoidable because we had to ensure the safety of cyclists and spectators and to concentrate assets in other places to enable the race to go ahead at all.  "But so many heroic spectators still came out for what has been an extremely wet but a spectacular finish to a great week with many highlights."  Elsewhere, the inaugural Regatta London race, which was due to take place on the River Thames on Sunday, had to be cancelled.  Organisers said they were unable to run the event safely due to the stormy weather affecting the river's water quality.


eveningstandard--2019-10-31--UK weather forecast for fireworks weekend: Strong winds and rain set to disrupt Bonfire Night 2019 e

UK weather forecast for fireworks weekend: Strong winds and rain set to disrupt Bonfire Night 2019 events

Strong winds and rain are set to hit the UK which are likely to disrupt bonfire events this weekend, forecasters have warned.  The Met Office has said there will be strong winds and periods of precipitation tomorrow and into the weekend.  Large parts of the UK can expect a wet and grey day on Friday with highs of 15C and lows of 2C in the early hours.  On Saturday, much of the UK will be hit by wet weather again with regions near the Bristol Channel facing winds up to 70mph.  A rain weather warning has also been issued by the Met Office for Wales and south west England.  Forecasters say there is a small chance homes and businesses could be flooded and a "small chance of fast flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life".  Between 6am and 10am, there is likely to be between 15 to 25mm of rainfall in the south west.  Across the country, there will be highs of 14C and lows of 5C.  Meteorologist Helen Roberts said Sunday has the best forecast, adding that there will be a few "glimmers of sun which will brighten a damp, breezy day".  She advised that it might be best to go and watch fireworks later in the weekend, saying: " Given that it is wet and in windy in a few locations there is likely to be a bit of disruption to outdoor events.  "Sunday looking like the better day, but it will be unsettled with changes throughout."  The highest temperature will be around 15C on Sunday with lows of 5C.


eveningstandard--2019-11-14--UK weather forecast: Snow hits parts of country as temperatures plunge amid 'danger to life&apo

UK weather forecast: Snow hits parts of country as temperatures plunge amid 'danger to life' warning after floods

Snow has begun falling across parts of the country as Yorkshire prepares for more downpours after being hit with days of flooding, as “danger to life” warnings were in place.  Dartmoor was pictured blanketed in snow on Wednesday evening after temperatures plummeted across parts of Devon and South Wales amid travel warnings.  Police in the Welsh town of Ystradgynlais warned motorists to only use their vehicles if necessary and some roads were sealed off due to dangerous conditions.  The snow was expected to continue falling throughout the night, mixed with sleet and rain, but could settle on high ground, according to forecasters.  Meanwhile, the Met Office has issued a warning suggesting there could be a danger to life in parts of the East Midlands and Yorkshire as more rain is forecast to fall on the already flooded region.  A yellow weather warning for rain is in place for areas around Nottingham, Sheffield, and Doncaster from 9am on Thursday, as the snow falling across the South West moves north and turns to rain.  Met Office meteorologist Luke Miall said "the worst of the winter weather has now moved through" the South West, but "it's the same one that's going to push its way north and will affect the flooded areas from last week".  The heaviest of the rain is expected to hit the area between 9am and 10am and continue throughout the day.  Forecasters are predicting between 35mm and 45mm of rainfall, and 33 flood warnings are in place across the region after the Met Office warned there could be a risk to life "because these areas are very waterlogged already".  Mr Miall added: "Even some amount of rain could cause rivers to rise."  Mr Miall said the weather is looking "slightly better, but not dry" as we head towards the weekend, describing the forecast as a "mixed bag" with showers still falling across the country.  On Wednesday, the Prime Minister faced heavy criticism over his response to the flooding during a visit to the worst-hit areas.  During Boris Johnson's trip to Stainforth, South Yorkshire, one frustrated woman, who was pushing around a wheelbarrow, refused to speak to him.  She said: "I'm not very happy about talking to you so, if you don't mind, I'll just mope on with what I'm doing.  "You've not helped us up to press. I don't know what you're here today for."  Another told him: "You've took your time Boris, haven't you?"  The Prime Minister later paid a visit to Fishlake, where he told reporters: "We will get people back on their feet."  On Tuesday, he announced that relief funding would be made available for those affected by the floods and said that funding for local councils to help affected households would be made available to the tune of £500 per eligible household.


eveningstandard--2019-11-26--UK weather forecast: Britain lashed by torrential rain as remnants of tropical storm Sebastien hit c

UK weather forecast: Britain lashed by torrential rain as remnants of tropical storm Sebastien hit country

Britain is being lashed by torrential rains brought by ex-tropical storm Sebastien, with freezing temperatures set to follow.  Yellow weather warnings are in place across the country thoroughout the first half of the week, with downfalls expected to cause localised flooding in parts of south west England, south Wales, and the north east of England.  The heavy rain is being triggered the remnants of Sebastien, which has moved up from the Azores and will likely continue up past the island of Ireland.  By Thursday night, a low pressure system over the North Sea will pull cold air down from Scandinavia, bringing temperatures as low as -4C in some parts as the country heads into the weekend.  South west England and south Wales have yellow weather warnings in place for Tuesday and Wednesday for rain, and the northeast has warnings in place for Wednesday and Thursday.  Grahame Madge, a spokesman for the Met Office, told the Standard: “This will be a week of two halves.  “The next couple of days there will be wet conditions and possible gales, with showery rain in the south west and Wales.  “We can expect 10 to 20mm of rain in places with up to 30mm in some places.  “This could lead to localised flash flooding in vulnerable areas.  “In the northeast, there will also be 10 to 20mm of rain in places, and up to 40mm in places like the Yorkshire moors and higher parts.”  The fresh rains come after a man’s body was found as flood waters receded in South Yorkshire.  South Yorkshire Police confirmed the corpse was found on Fordstead Lane near Barnby Dun, in the Doncaster area, on Saturday.  The road had been underwater for around two weeks after the River Don burst its banks. The death is not being treated as suspicious.  After the clouds have emptied, a dry weekend will be led by cold air sweeping down from the north.  Mr Madge added: “Wednesday night into Thursday the country will be seeing temperatures of around 6 to 8C.  “Thursday night into Friday, there is potential for Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester and even Birmingham to hit 0C.  “Friday night into Saturday temperatures could reach around -2C.  “There is an element of uncertainty about how far south the cold will reach, and whether it will get to areas like Cornwall and Devon.  “But we could see places like Manchester get to -4C.”


eveningstandard--2019-12-07--UK weather forecast: Brits brace for gale force winds and severe weather warnings as Storm Atiyah ba

UK weather forecast: Brits brace for gale force winds and severe weather warnings as Storm Atiyah barrels into country

Brits are bracing for 70mph winds, heavy rain and even snow as Storm Atiyah barrels into the country this weekend.  The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for severe gales for west Wales and south west England from 3pm on Sunday through to 9am on Monday.  Storm Atiyah, named by the Irish meteorological service Met Eireann, is expected to move from west to east during this period.  The first named storm of the season could bring winds of 50-60 mph inland and up to 70 mph on the coast, the Met Office said.  Areas outside the warning area could still see winds of between 40 and 50 mph.  Widespread heavy rain will sweep across the country while snow is set to fall on higher grounds in northern England, Scotland and Wales, forecasters said.  Sophie Yeomans, a Met Office meteorologist, warned that strong winds on Sunday could trigger delays on the roads and rail disruption.  She urged the public to "take care around the coast" due to large swells possibly being whipped up.  Ms Yeomans added: "Christmas markets with loose items, loose structures, it's one of those to check is everything secure - your Christmas lights, inflatable Santas."  "Make sure that you're aware of those wind warnings," she added.  She explained that the windy conditions would be worse on the Irish coast.  The Met Office previously said that strong winds are also expected for western parts of Northern Ireland and Scotland, with gusts of up to 57mph overnight.  The unsettled weather is expected to move to the east coast of north England and Scotland in the early hours of Monday morning with gusts up to 55mph.  Ms Yeomans warned residents along the east coast of England to be wary of large waves on Monday.  Looking ahead, she said conditions on Monday would be dry in general, with the odd shower in places, but still cold and windy.  While it was too early to be certain, she explained Tuesday was expected to usher in another wet and windy spell mid-week.  Meanwhile, Met Office spokesman Steven Keates said there will be snow on higher grounds all the way through until Thursday.  "We are not collecting widespread snow in populated areas and it will be nothing unusual for this time of year," he said.


eveningstandard--2019-12-16--UK weather forecast: Frost to set in overnight as temperatures plunge to -4C

Temperatures could plummet to -4C across parts of the UK with frost expected to set in overnight.  Parts of Scotland and northern England saw a dusting of snow today and could see light showers again into tomorrow morning.  Though that is expected to be the last of the UK's snow for the foreseeable future, according to the Met Office.  "It's going to be fairly chilly, with 8C or 9C highs," forecaster Simon Partridge told the Standard.  "Overnight we could get down to -3C or -4C."  There will be some frost in the morning tomorrow, ahead of a dry day for most parts, aside from the south east which will see some showers.  Tuesday into Wednesday could even see as low as -5C, he said.  Images from areas in Scotland showed a blanketing of snow, with Balmoral looking picturesque under a white cover.  There is a yellow warning for snow and ice for parts of the north of Scotland active from now until 9am.


eveningstandard--2019-07-30--Tottenham fans reveal what they love about new stadium and what needs to improve

Tottenham fans reveal what they love about new stadium... and what needs to improve

Tottenham's new £1billion stadium has been given the seal of approval by the club’s supporters’ trust.  More than 4,300 fans were asked for their opinion on the club’s new home which opened last season, with 95 per cent saying they were satisfied with the fan experience.  That is in stark contrast to the survey taken out when Spurs were playing at Wembley Stadium, when only 52 per cent of fans said they were satisfied.  In addition, 93 per cent of fans surveyed revealed they were getting to Tottenham’s new ground 30 minutes before kick-off to experience the facilities on offer.  The atmosphere at the new stadium has also won the approval of regular fans.  Of those asked who had attended one or more Premier League matches, 84 per cent were satisfied with the atmosphere. That number rose to 98 per cent on European nights after memorable fixtures against Man City and Ajax en route to the Champions League final.


eveningstandard--2019-08-22--Anfield Road stadium expansion Liverpool announce plan to take capacity above 60000 with aposamb

Anfield Road stadium expansion: Liverpool announce plan to take capacity above 60,000 with 'ambitious' redevelopment

Liverpool have confirmed that they are now actively pursuing new, ‘ambitious’ plans to redevelop the Anfield Road stand of the club’s home ground.  Previous outline planning permission for an extension to the stand will be allowed to expire next month in order for an alternative proposal to be put forward.  The original plans catered for the addition of just 4,000 seats - a figure that would have taken overall capacity to just over 58,000.  However, it is now understood that the club’s owners, FSG, are keen to go beyond the 60,000 mark.  LFC’s chief operating officer Andy Hughes said: “The progress that has been made during ongoing feasibility studies has resulted in us being in a position to allow the outline planning permission to lapse.  “We are committed to working with local residents, planning officials and others as we now focus on the detail behind any proposed redevelopment for Anfield Road.  “Throughout this process we have been clear that our objective is to find the best possible solution for Anfield Road and that remains the case."  Anfield’s current capacity of 54,074 places Liverpool sixth in the Premier League in terms of fans they can welcome on matchdays.  However, depending on the extent of the new plans, they could leapfrog Manchester City, West Ham, Arsenal and Tottenham to take second place behind Manchester United.


eveningstandard--2019-09-10--Green Day Weezer and Fall Out Boy announce London Stadium show How to get tickets to the Hella Meg

Green Day, Weezer and Fall Out Boy announce London Stadium show: How to get tickets to the Hella Mega tour

Green Day, Fall Out Boy and Weezer will play a triple-headline stadium show in London next year.  The three American bands, who between them have sold well over 130 million albums worldwide, will come to the London Stadium in Stratford on June 26 2020.  The concert will come as part of their Hella Mega tour, and marks the first time the three pop-punk titans have ever toured together.  Fans had been teased with details of the tour, with band members tagging each other in various social media posts. A mysterious website also appeared, at hellamegatour.com, which featured nothing but a gif of the character Dwight Schrute from The Office US, as well as a password prompt.  Now, a huge tour has been confirmed, taking in Asia, Europe and North America. Another band, ska punk outfit The Interrupters, will also join them on their travels.  Tickets will go on sale at 10am on Friday September 20. They will be available to buy here.


eveningstandard--2019-09-10--West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady brought in by LLDC to help secure naming rights for the London S

West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady brought in by LLDC to help secure naming rights for the London Stadium

West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady has taken on a leading role in the search to find a naming rights partner for the London Stadium.  It comes as the stadium’s landlords, the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC), have stepped up their bid to secure a naming rights deal for the 2020-21 season.  The LLDC appointed Jo Adams as their new chief commercial officer last month with the primary task of finding a sponsor the London Stadium.  Lyn Garner, chief executive of the LLDC, has also asked Brady to work with them to secure a deal that both parties are happy with.  Stadium owners E20 have so far failed to find a sponsor for the London Stadium, which was built for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and is funded by the taxpayer.  The new partnership between West Ham and the LLDC is a sign of much how their relationship has improved.  Garner told the London Assembly last week: “We cannot sell the naming rights without being hand in glove with the club.  “Now that we have cleared out some of the arguments and so on and we have got a clear path to a partnership, I have asked Baroness Brady to work with me personally on stadium naming rights and she has agreed to do that. We will work together to bring the strategy that brings the best win-win situation for both the club and the park itself.”


eveningstandard--2019-09-16--Rugby World Cup venues 2019 See the 12 stadiums hosting Japan tournament

Rugby World Cup venues 2019: See the 12 stadiums hosting Japan tournament

The 2019 Rugby World Cup begins on Friday, with Japan set to become the first Asian country to hold the global showpiece.  12 cities and stadiums across the country have been selected to host matches during the tournament, though plans for Tokyo's New National Stadium - an important pillar of the successful bid and key venue for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics - to stage the final were scrapped back in 2015.  Over 400,000 fans are expected to descend on Japan for the World Cup, which World Rugby are confident will be a 'a very special success on every level' and 'break records and make history on and off the field' in addition to proving a 'transformational driver of sporting and social legacy in the host nation and across Asia'.  Standard Sport takes a look at each of the 12 venues for the latest edition of rugby's global showpiece...


eveningstandard--2019-09-20--Leicester City beware Heung-min Son is Tottenhamaposs biggest threat at King Power Stadium

Leicester City, beware: Heung-min Son is Tottenham's biggest threat at King Power Stadium

Tottenham are on the road again this weekend as they travel to the King Power Stadium to take on Leicester.  After dropping points in the north London derby, Spurs hit Crystal Palace for four last Saturday – but the vulnerability we saw at the Emirates returned in Greece on Wednesday as Mauricio Pochettino’s side let a two-goal lead slip to Olympiacos in the Champions League.  Brendan Rodgers’ side left Old Trafford empty handed last time out against Manchester United.  They have another opportunity to try and prove their own top four credentials this weekend.  Serge Aurier and Danny Rose are expected to be fit after being rested for the trip to Greece although Ryan Sessegnon is likely to have to wait for his debut.  The former Fulham starlet was another in stay in north London this week after reporting a hamstring problem.  Leicester will surely smell blood after Tottenham’s recent problems in holding onto a lead away from home.  At Old Trafford, the Foxes failed to land a telling blow but in front of their own fans they will fancy their chances of taking something.  The match will be televised live on BT Sport 1, with coverage starting from 12pm. BT Sport subscribers will be able to stream the match online via the video player and the BT Sport app.  You can follow all of the action with Standard Sport's LIVE blog.  This will be the 113th meeting between these two with Spurs winning 56 of them.  Leicester have 35 wins to their name.


eveningstandard--2019-09-29--West Ham United Women look to forge their own London Stadium memories as Jack Sullivan aims for sust

West Ham United Women look to forge their own London Stadium memories as Jack Sullivan aims for sustainability

There have been some iconic moments at the London Stadium. Super Saturday and Usain Bolt winning 100m gold at London 2012 have gone down in history and memorable goals from Dimitri Payet and more recently Aaron Cresswell have helped West Ham start to create new memories at their new home.  On Sunday, West Ham Women get a chance to provide their own special moment when they play there for the first time.  A crowd of around 20,000 is expected to watch West Ham play London rivals Tottenham in the WSL on what will be a landmark day for the Hammers.  “The London Stadium is so historic for so many reasons,” said West Ham Women managing director Jack Sullivan.  “The players are going to be doing their prehab where Usain Bolt, Mo Farah and Jessica Ennis-Hill have warmed up.  "They are going to be on the pitch where Andy Carroll did that amazing overhead kick against Crystal Palace and Dimitri Payet ran from the halfway line against Middlesbrough.  “We wanted to say 'you are part of West Ham, you are not just the women’s team, you are part of all these historical events at the stadium'. Hopefully we can make an important memory of a great moment at the London Stadium for this team as well, by scoring a great goal or something.”  West Ham have had just five weeks to promote ticket sales for the game but that rush has been no problem for a club that has grown rapidly and is in a hurry to establish themselves at the top of the women’s game.  In the past 18 months, West Ham have turned professional, moved up two divisions into the WSL as part of a league restructure and reached last season’s FA Cup Final at Wembley.  Sullivan’s aim is to secure a sustainable future for the club as interest in the women's game grows after the success England had in reaching the World Cup semi-finals in the summer.  “It is a great time to be part of women’s football, but we have got to make sure this time becomes permanent,” said 19-year-old Sullivan. “The thing for us, and for everyone in women's football, should be 'how can we make the women's game sustainable?'  “Commercially and attendance-wise, you have seen how much we have grown in a year. Playing at the London Stadium, we have had five weeks to sell that game and I think it just shows we want to do things quickly. We have always wanted to do things quickly.  “It is one of the most annoying things in the world when someone is like, ‘oh, can we wait a month’. Why? There is no point. We have jumped from the third division to the top division and that was fine, and we want to grow quickly but sustainably.”  West Ham average around 1,500 fans for their home games at Rush Green. The fixture against Tottenham will be a one-off at the London Stadium for this season but the hope is to attract more supporters to attend their games every week.  So how long will it be before women’s games are regularly being played at bigger venues?  “For everyone, I think that is the aim,” said Sullivan. "But I am not sure when that will be.  “We have to get people through the door and then make sure Sunday is not a one-off game for them. It is about having them come once, enjoy it and then come to the next home game and start that cycle.  "We want to get as many people through the door and then hope people will come more often off the back of that.  “We do not want people to come just because it is at the London Stadium. It is all about getting them to come consistently. Not just focusing on these historic events, but an all-year-round thing.  “We have sold 900 season tickets this season and we are going to fill the best part of 20,000 for the game on Sunday, which shows people are interested in the women’s game. The more people you have coming to the games, the more sustainable the team becomes.”  West Ham have beaten Birmingham and lost to Arsenal and Chelsea so far in the WSL this season. They have ambitions of challenging the established elite and their game at the London Stadium is an important landmark for the club as it grows on and off the pitch.  “We know our team is good and if they perform to their maximum then we should be able to give everyone a good game,” said Sullivan.  “We have lost to Arsenal and Chelsea but both were close affairs. It is just continuing to push on, in all aspects on and off the pitch.  "How can we grow everything? How can we get more supporters coming here? Because that is how we think women’s football is going to become sustainable, by getting more people involved in women’s football.”


eveningstandard--2019-10-04--NFL at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Itaposs all change in N17 as NFL pitches up for Chicago Bears v

NFL at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium: It's all change in N17 as NFL pitches up for Chicago Bears v Oakland Raiders

The final finishing touches were this morning being put to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as it prepares to stage its first-ever NFL match.  Oakland Raiders host Chicago Bears on Sunday in the first of two regular season gridiron games to be held at Spurs’ new home this month.  The stadium is the first built outside of North America with NFL specifically in mind and features a range of features bespoke to the sport.  Following Tottenham’s Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich on Tuesday, the grass football pitch was rolled underneath the South Stand to reveal the artificial surface to be used on Sunday.  The artificial surface sits 1.7 metres below the grass pitch, while the stadium also boasts two specialised NFL locker rooms, designed to host an entourage of more than 100 players and support staff.  Never before has a purpose-built NFL venue outside of the USA hosted a top-flight American Football contest and there is a sense of palpable excitement as Spurs - who have a 10-year partnership with the league to host a minimum of two games per year - prepare to showcase the artificial surface that lies beneath their retractable grass football pitch.


eveningstandard--2019-10-08--Daniel Levy's NFL vision for Tottenham stadium outlined by key designer of £1billion home

Tottenham's new stadium is ready to host a permanent NFL franchise, with Daniel Levy hoping to stage Premier League and gridiron action on the same day, according to one of the key men involved in building the state-of-the-art venue.  Spurs’ new home, the first purpose-built American football venue outside of North America, hosted its first NFL match on Sunday as the Oakland Raiders beat the Chicago Bears 24-21.  The club has a decade-long agreement with the NFL to host two regular-season games per year. However, there is talk that a permanent UK franchise, playing eight home games a year, could set up base in north London.  Tom Jones, senior principal at design firm Populous, who helped build the ground, and believes it us up to the task.  “The intention with the design was to avoid the overlay that other stadiums have to go through,” Jones said.  “The investment in the technology, and the reason for all of that planning, is so that the transformation time can be quick enough so that Tottenham could have a full schedule of football matches and potentially a full schedule of an NFL franchise.”  “The club’s view is that they’ve already made that investment,” added Paul Jennings, Tottenham’s technology manager. “It is capable of doing it, but it’s also capable of hosting one or two games per year.  “So now the powers that be will see how that evolves. It’s not like they started small and will have to change things to have a franchise there.”  Tottenham's ground underwent a huge transformation inside five days after their Champions League commitments, including the retracting of its grass football pitch to make way for the artificial NFL surface that sits permanently 1.7m below.  The process of replacing the playing surface can take as little as 20 minutes, and Jones revealed that Levy is dreaming of a double-header.  “The brief that we got from Daniel and the club was that they wanted a stadium that was perfect for football,” Jones said. “But he had a great ambition to get the NFL to Tottenham.  “There are sliding pitches all over the world, but Tottenham had the ambition to be able to host multiple events. So, they wanted to be able to make it happen quickly.  “Daniel has a great ambition one day, which we all fear, of hosting a double-header of football in the morning and NFL in the evening.”


eveningstandard--2019-10-12--Japan rugby team wade through flooded Tokyo stadium ahead of training for crunch Scotland clash

The Japan rugby team were forced to wade through a flooded Prince Chichibu Stadium in Tokyo ahead training on Saturday morning.  The hosts are preparing for their crunch clash with Scotland in which victory will see them top Pool A and progress to the last eight.  Emerging for training a day ahead of their match, the Japan team faced knee-high water at the bottom of a flight of stairs leading from their dressing room to the pitch.  Footage captured by the Japan Rugby Football Union showed players trying to avoid the water by clambering onto benches which lined the tunnel out to the rugby field. Others piggy-backed team-mates, while some just charged through the water.  Typhoon Hagibis has already arrived in Tokyo - but the worst is yet to come - with England's meeting with France and New Zealand's final pool game against Italy cancelled by World Rugby.  Scotland, who will likely crash out of the World Cup if there game suffers the same fate, are determined to play their do-or-die game with the hosts. Scottish Rugby Union chief executive Mark Dodson has said they will consider legal action to ensure the game is played.  World Rugby says it aims to make a decision on whether Scotland's storm-threatened clash with Japan on Sunday can go ahead as early as possible.  A final decision on whether the game goes ahead must be made no later than six hours before the 7.45pm (11.45am BST) kick-off time.


eveningstandard--2019-11-13--The real story behind giant lion 'hologram' to mark opening of stadium in Argentina

Argentine football team Estudiantes celebrated their first match back at their home stadium with an impressive show depicting a huge flaming lion prowling around the venue.  However anyone under the impression a hologram of the jungle beast was visible to the naked eye will be left disappointed, with the drama actually a stunning augmented reality show.  The lion appears to jump out of the sky and strut along the structure before jumping onto the pitch and roaring at the home fans.  While the videos shared online looked spectacular, a report from CNN noted: "The impressive spectacle could be viewed by fans watching on television but those in the stadium had to watch through an app on their phones or on the big screen."  A video recorded from inside the stadium also shows fans watching the lion scale the stadium on giant screens inside the venue.  The creator of the spectacular show also confirmed to TN.com that those in attendance could only view the show through screens.  Sergio Neuspiller told the publication: "In the stadium, people could only see the lion on the screens. A hologram could have been done, but the issue of assembly and disassembly was very difficult because there was a show and recital later, in addition to the football game."  He continued: "The other thing that made it difficult is that we had a 360 degree audience, it had to be seen from all sides. Then we decided to use augmented reality and we understood that the best option for the public present was to follow all this from one of the seven LED screens that were installed. "


eveningstandard--2019-11-26--Fans fear for future of AFC Wimbledon as club face £11m shortfall to build new stadium

AFC Wimbledon are facing a financial crisis and a race against time to raise the £11million they need to build their new stadium at Plough Lane.  The Dons plan to move into their new 9,000-seat home at the start of next season, but they are yet to sign the main construction contract and need a major cash injection to do that after building costs soared to more than £30m.  Wimbledon have until January to find the money and, with the future of the club at risk, the Dons Trust — who own 75 per cent of the club — have called a special general meeting for December 9 to try to resolve the issue.  A number of options have been presented to the 3,000 members of the Trust, which include selling part of the club to outside investors, although, crucially, they would retain the right to veto relocating the team, selling the stadium, changing the badge, colours or club name.  Wimbledon have been owned by supporters since they were formed in 2002, after Wimbledon FC were controversially relocated to Milton Keynes.  Given the role previous owners had in that move, selling a large stake in the club has divided opinion among the AFC fanbase. But the severity of the situation means the League One club are at a genuine crossroads: If Wimbledon don’t find the £11m they need, their new stadium will only be part-built next season and will have just 4,000 seats.  That will mean their playing budget would be among the lowest in League One and could lead to them slipping down the football pyramid.  Banks are unwilling to lend them the money needed due to factors including Brexit and the recent financial difficulties of other EFL clubs, including Bolton and Bury.  A number of local businessmen, who have attended games at their current home, Kingsmeadow, are among those said to be willing to invest if the Trust agree to them having a say in the running of the club.  Supporters are split on bringing in outside investment, with some arguing it is necessary to maintain the club’s Football League status and others fearing a repeat of when former owner Sam Hammam sold the old Plough Lane, which eventually led to the move to Milton Keynes.  Construction of the Dons’ new stadium, which will be just 250 yards down the road from the old Plough Lane ground where Wimbledon FC played and could eventually reach a capacity of 20,000, is already under way.  The Trust have so far raised £20m towards costs, £2.5m of which came from crowdfunding. The final £11m needed is higher than initially budgeted for, partly because the project has been delayed by two years and lengthy talks over planning permission and commercial agreements.  The impact of those delays equates to an additional cost of around £3m-£4m. Contractors Buckingham have come up with the possible solution of finishing the stadium for next season at a cost of just an additional £1m, but such a ground would be very basic. It would have just 4,000 seats and contain no conferencing facilities, leaving the club with massively reduced revenue streams.  Even if Wimbledon did secure the £11m loan needed to build their new home, the repayments would be great and eat into the playing budget available to chief executive Joe Palmer. There is the added fear that if any payments to lenders were missed, the club could become insolvent and have the ground taken off them.  It is why the prospect of outside investment taking a large stake in the club has been put forward for the first time. The local businessmen who have attended games at Kingsmeadow and are keen to invest claim to not be doing so as a profit-making exercise.  New investment would provide greater financial stability, reduced pressure on cash flow and a more competitive playing budget. Nonetheless, there is a fear among fans to let outsiders in.  Rob Crane, a member of the Trust board, has already resigned over the issue, while one fan on message board Wombles Underground Press wrote: “This is awful — it’s like being visited by a dreadful ghost from your past.”  There are elements of the Trust, however, who believe outside investment is needed to take the club forward.  One member told Standard Sport: “The club will be out of the Football League in two seasons [if there is no outside investment]. There won’t be the money to maintain even a partially-built stadium, the club will fold and the stadium sold. That’s the stark reality of what we face.”  AFC, realistically, cannot abandon the move as they have already sold Kingsmeadow and would have nowhere to play next season, while mothballing the project would be costly and a waste of previous investment.  A spokesman for AFC Wimbledon said: “The stadium at Plough Lane is proceeding and we are fully committed to moving back to our spiritial home. The issue we face is that the funding currently available to us will only pay for the bare minimum of the new stadium.  “There are options for doing more than that, including bringing in external investment but, quite rightly, that is a choice for Dons Trust members, the owners of the club. We have presented the options to our members and will be listening carefully to their views over the coming weeks.”  Wimbledon are at a crossroads and the Trust must decide how to proceed when they convene on December 9. The clock is ticking.


eveningstandard--2019-12-07--Liverpool matches at Club World Cup moved to new venue after Education City Stadium opening postpone

Liverpool matches at Club World Cup moved to new venue after Education City Stadium opening postponed

Liverpool have seen a switch of venue for their forthcoming Club World Cup semi-final in Qatar.  The reigning European champions were due to play their last-four tie against one of Monterrey, Al-Sadd or Hienghene Sport at the new Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan on December 18.  However, Fifa announced on Saturday that the opening of the ground - which will host World Cup matches in 2022 - had been postponed until early 2020.  As a result, Liverpool's semi-final plus the final and third-place play-off on December 21 have all been moved to the 45,416-capacity Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, which recently hosted the World Athletics Championships.  "Construction at Education City Stadium is complete and the venue is now operational," a Fifa statement read.  "However, the necessary certification process took longer than expected and therefore the stadium was unable to host the required test events prior to the semi-final and final of the FIFA Club World Cup at full capacity.  "The priority is to ensure an enjoyable experience for all fans so it was decided to open the stadium at a later date."


eveningstandard--2019-12-09--Anthony Joshua likely to make first title defence against Kubrat Pulev at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Anthony Joshua looks set to have his next fight at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in May against Kubrat Pulev after regaining his titles from Andy Ruiz Jr.  Joshua has asked for a homecoming fight after boxing abroad twice this year.  Having headlined twice at Wembley Stadium, most recently against Alexander Povetkin in September last year, a lack of availability has forced promoter Eddie Hearn to look elsewhere, with Tottenham’s 62,062-capacity stadium making it the next best option in London.  While Joshua expressed a preference to take on a British rival, it looks certain he will face either Pulev or Oleksandr Usyk, the mandatory contenders for the IBF and WBO belts respectively.  Pulev, from Bulgaria, is the most likely opponent, with Usyk, the former undisputed world cruiserweight champion from Ukraine, set to be offered a fight with Dereck Chisora in March, although if he doesn’t agree, it could mean Joshua giving up that belt.  “In terms of the dates we have been given, the IBF have said you have to fight Pulev by the end of April, while the WBO have given him 180 days,” Hearn said. “So we have to ask if they will allow this fight first. It is a case of speaking to Usyk’s guys. They can fight Chisora and fight the winner, or push us and fight for a vacant title.”  Talks with Spurs have already taken place, with Hearn saying they had initially shown an interest in staging the Ruiz fight.  “Wembley does not look great, date wise,” Hearn said. “Tottenham Hotspur is a nice new stadium for a UK fight and we have to look at it. We have spoken to Spurs and they very were keen to host the Ruiz fight. They are very keen again.”


eveningstandard--2019-12-13--Guns N' Roses tour 2020: How to get tickets for London Tottenham Hotspur Stadium gig

Guns N’ Roses will become the first ever band to play at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium when they visit the venue as part of a European tour next year.  The famed rock band — now featuring original members Axl Rose, Slash and Duff McKagan — will play 13 dates across the continent from April to June next year.  They will appear in north London on May 29, marking their first headline gig in the capital since they sold out the London Stadium in 2017.  The gig will be their only UK show of the year.  Guns N’ Roses released their landmark debut album Appetite for Destruction back in 1987, which catapulted them to worldwide fame. Their most recent album came in 2008, with the release of Chinese Democracy.  How to get tickets to see Guns N’ Roses at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium  Tickets will go on sale at 10am on Wednesday December 18. They will be available to buy here.


eveningstandard--2019-12-17--Tottenham increase stadium capacity for second time since opening

Tottenham have increased the capacity of their stadium to 62,303 seats.  Tuesday's update marks the second time the capacity has increased since opening in April, first hosting 62,062 before that figure was increased to 62,214 in early August.  A "detailed review" of the stadium seating bowl during the summer prompted the initial 148-seat increase, with capacity added in the North and South stands.  Now a further 89 seats have been added and will see the accommodation of further season ticket holders.  A statement reads: "We can confirm that Haringey Council has approved our application to increase the official capacity of our stadium to 62,303.  "Supporters who have registered their interest will now be contacted in waiting list order with the offer of a Season Ticket."  The official stadium record attendance for Tottenham's £1billion home currently stands at 60,407 with the visit of Aston Villa on the opening round of the Premier League season.


fortune--2019-09-05--Which NFL Stadiums Will Get 5G Connections Next

Verizon continued to expand its super-fast 5G wireless network to more locations, on Thursday announcing a deal with the National Football League to add coverage in 13 out of 31 stadiums starting this weekend.  Fans who attend games in one of the 13 stadiums, such as Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis and M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, will still need to have a 5G compatible phone to access the 5G networks, which can download data 10 to 100 times faster than the average 4G LTE connection. Verizon said it would add demonstration areas in the stadiums, as well, to let fans experience the speed firsthand. (See the full list of stadiums below.)  The limited addition to the carrier's 5G reach comes as the wireless industry is racing to roll out 5G coverage, but it will take several years and tens of billions of dollars before the networks come close to reaching as many people as today's 4G LTE systems. And customers will have to buy 5G compatible phones to use the networks, but only a handful of rather expensive models available so far. Apple, which has almost half the U.S. smartphone market, isn't expected to start selling a 5G iPhone model for at least another year.  Verizon currently only offers 5G in small parts of 10 cities, such as Chicago and Phoenix, with a goal of reaching more than 30 cities by year end and covering half of the U.S. population by the end of 2020. In the meantime, it's adding coverage in popular venues like NFL stadiums, or transportation hubs, like in its deal with Boingo Wireless announced last month.  "Our strategy with the initial launch of 5G has been to bring it to public places where lots of people gather, so that's why we started in dense urban areas," Heidi Hemmer, vice president of technology at Verizon, tells Fortune. "The stadiums play perfectly into that, as well."  The stadiums already all have 4G coverage and Wi-Fi. But the addition of 5G will allow more devices to connect and reduce delays as fans in attendance watch video, often from other NFL games, on their phones. That's important to those playing fantasy football and increasingly valued as legalized sports betting spreads.  "It's a constant battle on the connectivity front at every stadium," Michelle McKenna, the NFL's chief information officer, says. "The more bandwidth and speed that we've offered through LTE networks and Wi-Fi, the fans gobbled it all up. Whatever you provide, that's what they'll use. Of course, we are always looking for what will keep us ahead of that curve."  The list of 13 football stadiums includes several venues in cities beyond where Verizon's limited 5G service is offered so far, such as MetLife Stadium near New York City, home to the New York Giants and New York Jets, and CenturyLink Field, home of the Seattle Seahawks–and also Verizon rival T-Mobile. The list of 13 doesn't include AT&T Field in Dallas, sponsored by one of Verizon's chief rivals. AT&T added its 5G network there in January.  The NFL has been a longtime partner of Verizon, which had exclusive mobile rights to games until 2018 and still has non-exclusive rights. Verizon also struck a partnership with the league back in March to develop some 5G offerings jointly.  Bank of America Stadium (Carolina Panthers)    Empower Field at Mile High (Denver Broncos)   CenturyLink Field (Seattle Seahawks)   Ford Field (Detroit Lions)    Gillette Stadium (New England Patriots)   Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Dolphins)   Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis Colts)   MetLife Stadium (New York Giants and New York Jets)   M&T Bank Stadium (Baltimore Ravens)   NRG Stadium (Houston Texans)   Soldier Field (Chicago Bears)   U.S. Bank Stadium (Minnesota Vikings)  —Android 10’s 7 most anticipated new features  —This new app puts deepfake technology in the hands of a mainstream audience  —Google hit with a record fine by the FTC for violating children’s privacy on YouTube  —A U.K court may have made police use of facial recognition easier  —Porsche unveils its first-ever electric car  Catch up with Data Sheet, Fortune's daily digest on the business of tech.


freedombunker--2019-02-02--Falcons Owner Arthur Blank Will Collect All the Super Bowl LIII RevenueEven Though Taxpayers Own th

Falcons Owner Arthur Blank Will Collect All the Super Bowl LIII Revenue—Even Though Taxpayers Own the Stadium

On Sunday, the eyes of the nation will fall on Atlanta’s brand-new Mercedes-Benz Stadium, site of the 53rd Superbowl. As players and spectators pour into the city, they’ll be dazzled by a state-of-the-art retractable roof and an enormous, wrap-around digital screen. What will be less apparent to thousands of spectators and millions of television viewers is a different kind of innovation—a carefully concealed legal clause that will privatize future profits of the publicly-funded stadium.  The gnarled history of building professional sports stadiums with taxpayer funds has attracted some unwelcome attention in recent years, leading team owners and mayors to become more circumspect in how they publicize the millions they receive from cities in the name of economic development.  Mayor Kasim Reed and franchise owner Arthur Blank extracted nearly a quarter billion in taxpayer funds to keep the team in town.  Numerous studies demonstrate that promises of “economic development” around stadiums rarely materialize: Tax revenues don’t rise despite huge public investments, and per-capita income is actually damaged by the presence of a stadium. At best, dining and entertainment dollars are relocated from elsewhere in the city.  Nevertheless, with threats of moving the franchise to Atlanta’s suburbs or even to Los Angeles, Mayor Kasim Reed and franchise owner Arthur Blank extracted the promise of nearly a quarter billion in taxpayer funds to keep the team in town.  The billions in revenue the Falcons will generate in ticket sales and advertising won’t pay the city back for its malinvestment: The NFL franchise will pay neither rent nor property taxes.  All the risks and costs of the stadium have been socialized, and its profits will be privatized. This is a frequent pattern of collusion between local government officials and developers. The Falcons’ general manager-turned-CEO, Rich McKay, extorted a new publicly-funded stadium from the people of Tampa before turning his sights on Atlanta.  The costs of maintaining and upgrading the stadium would be taxpayer-funded in perpetuity.  When originally announced, the stadium was slated to cost the city $200 million, with remaining costs borne by the Falcons and team owner Arthur Blank. No one should begrudge Blank his $4.6 billion net worth, which he earned as co-founder of The Home Depot, but we might reasonably expect him to finance his own pet project rather than fleecing ordinary Georgians already struggling to make ends meet.  Proponents of the deal claimed that Atlanta’s residents wouldn’t be footing the bill since the public funds were coming from a hotel tax paid primarily by visitors. In the fine print of the stadium agreement, though, was a subtle clause that negated the cost cap altogether: All future funds from the hotel tax would be put into a revenue-sharing arrangement benefiting the stadium, the team, and its owner. The costs of maintaining and upgrading the stadium would be taxpayer-funded in perpetuity.  So the city of Atlanta sunk nearly a quarter billion taxpayer dollars into a private, exclusive venue with ticket prices starting at $500 per seat. Blank will receive all ticket and concession revenue despite the stadium’s nominal classification as a city venue.  In addition to its portion of the stadium itself, Atlanta shelled out $30 million in sales tax breaks for construction, $24 million in land value, and a yet-underdetermined sum to build the elaborate snake-like bridge above the four-lane Northside Drive.  The bridge’s budget ballooned from $12.8 million approved by Atlanta City Council to $23.3 million, including more than $6 million for customizable LED strip lighting.  That the bridge was designed to match the angles of the stadium, rather than the character of the surrounding neighborhood, underscores the mayor’s disingenuousness.  Earlier this month, local reporting revealed that bonds and sales taxes that were supposed to fund the city’s infrastructure projects, from sidewalks to road maintenance to crumbling civil rights landmarks, subsidized the bridge instead. Atlantans agreed to pay a surcharge to live in their own city, and politicians redirected that cash and its noble intentions into a pointless pet project.  A press release from the mayor’s office claimed—ludicrously—that the bridge project wasn’t built for football fans or national broadcasts but instead as a service to historically under-resourced West Side neighborhoods.  He predicted the bridge would save lives at street-level. But Mercedes-Benz stadium, like the Georgia Dome, the World Congress Center, and other planned development projects before it, have only further cut off the West Side from downtown, disrupting traffic and a once-robust streetcar line. That the bridge was designed to match the angles of the stadium, rather than with any consideration of the character of the surrounding neighborhood, underscores the mayor’s disingenuousness.  To make matters worse, even the narrow “general public” who can afford a thousand-dollar ticket to the Big Game won’t be permitted to use the pedestrian bridge on Superbowl Sunday.  Citing security concerns, the Mercedes-Benz venue announced days before the game that access to the “community’s” bridge will be restricted to Super Bowl staffers and credentialed journalists who have been pre-approved by stadium security.  Atlantans at large will be on their own at street-level, risking the lives Mayor Reed claimed would be saved by the bridge project.  When community investments are decided by a small group of distant elites, rather than by the people who live and work in the neighborhood, we should expect that the resulting development plans will misunderstand the needs of a community and reward the cronies of the powerful. Atlanta’s mammoth stadium and serpentine walkway for the selected few, bespangled as they are with matching ‘custom LEDs,’ couldn’t be a clearer illustration.