The Met Office has revised its forecast for 2009’s summer weather.

The Met Office has revised its seasonal forecast for the UK’s summer weather in June, July and August 2009, following a period of wet weather across the country.

Earlier this year, the organisation had declared that there was a 65% probability that the summer would be warmer and drier than average, and that it was “odds on for a barbecue summer”. Residents and tourists were advised to seek ways to stay cool, to find shade during the hottest times of the day, and to stay hydrated.

However, following a long period of wet and windy weather across the UK recently, it has adjusted its forecast. According to the Met Office, August will have near or above average rainfall – around 84.6mm – while temperatures will probably be near or above the average for the year, which is 14.7 degrees Celsius.

The Met office has defended its earlier seasonal forecast. In a statement, it said: “We acknowledge that the weather we have seen through the last month has been disappointing, especially after the fine weather through June and the heatwave at the end of June and beginning of July.

“At no time did the Met Office state that summer 2009 would be hot and dry throughout, or forecast a ‘scorcher’.”

The Travel Association, ABTA, has predicted that the number of British people holidaying abroad will increase, especially because the majority of Mediterranean countries are experiencing temperatures up to 40 degrees Celsius. In addition, parts of the US are also currently experiencing a heatwave.

Mark Tanzer, ABTA’s Chief Executive, said: “The weather does affect business and although we know that poor weather encourages outbound tourism, it’s also true to say that by contrast overseas visitors coming from hot countries enjoy our cooler climate.”