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AJ Handley-Rowe -
10th November 2021
AJ Handley-Rowe -
10th November 2021 UK set to be battered by storms as ‘unprecedented’ El Niño arrives this autumn
Emily Sergeant
The UK is being told to brace for a series of storms this autumn when the ‘unprecedented’ El Niño weather event arrives.
It’s already been a summer of extremes for the country, with multiple heatwaves over the past couple of months, but now it appears that autumn and winter are set to have some extremes of their own, as the Met Office is warning that this upcoming El Niño could be one of the most significant in recent memory.
El Niño is declared when sea temperatures in the tropical eastern Pacific rise 0.5°C above the long-term average, which therefore impacts global rainfall patterns and average temperatures.
The natural warming of sea temperatures is forecast to reach more than 3°C in the coming months, according to the Met Office, making this year’s weather event have the potential to be ‘the largest since the 19th century’.
El Niño will create a heightened risk of drought in the tropics, southern Africa, and north eastern Australia, but over in north western Europe – including the UK – it means we are likely to experience wetter and stormier conditions.
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The UK, and of course Greater Manchester, is absolutely no stranger to a storm around this time of year, but forecasters say this could be an entirely different beast.
“We should be clear that this is an unprecedented event,” warned Professor Adam Scaife, who is the Head of Long Range Forecasting at the Met Office.
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“I have never seen an El Nino signal this intense in our forecasts.”
Professor Scaife concluded: “A typical El Nino leads to an equatorial Pacific sea-surface temperature rise of between one to 2°C, with 2°C being a really big event. This implies that, if the forecast is accurate, and other forecast systems show similar extreme values, then 2026 will far exceed our recent experience of El Niño and its worldwide climate influences.’
Forecasters and officials, however, have warned that it could take months of sustained rainfall before rivers, reservoirs, and groundwaters are ‘completely replenished’ – which is when a drought can officially be declared as over.
Read more:
- Met Office launches nationwide search for new storm names and wants YOU to pick
- Watch incredible video as Manchester gets hit by a ‘crazy’ silent lightning storm
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It also warned drought conditions could persist into the new year as, despite El Niño, as current forecasts do not suggest this autumn will have the amount of rainfall needed to drive recovery.
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
Live from Wythenshawe Park – lineup, travel, tickets, times, and everything you need to know
Lydia Mastrolonardo
What a month August has shaped up to be – and it’s far from over yet, with the Live from Wythenshawe Park gig series on the way.
Five massive headline gigs will take place in the south Manchester suburb in the coming weeks, pulling together yet another star-studded lineup to round off summer on a high.
This year, performances will come from the likes of Courteeners, Lewis Capaldi, The Cure, Pulp, and The Prodigy, all with huge support acts.
Be sure to mind the weather, drink plenty of water, look after each other and, above all else, enjoy yourselves.
If you’re heading down to the Live at Wythenshawe Park gig series, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know.
Travel guide: How to get to Wythenshawe Park
Relax, we’ve done the hard work for you so that you can focus on the important stuff. You know, like planning your outfits and where to pre-drink.
We’d always advocate for travelling as green as possible and using public transport where you can and so without further ado…
Our number one recommendation would be Live From Wythenshawe Park’s fantastic shuttle bus service, to get you safely back into the city centre.
Shuttles will depart from Aytoun Street/Minshull Street (near Kampus) every six minutes and head straight to Wythenshawe Park, or you can grab one from Parrs Wood in East Didsbury, which run every 15 mintes. Check out the timings and locations HERE.
Alternatively, Big Green Coaches will also be travelling to the gigs and are available from various locations.
There are also three tram stops to choose from: Wythenshawe Park, Moor Road and Baguley. However, it’s worth noting that both Wythenshawe Park and Baguley will be closed from 9pm, so you won’t be able to get back home this way.
Simplest of all, your best bet is downloading the Bee Network app, where you’ll find all the key details in one convenient place. Be warned – get there with plenty of time to avoid queuing and congestion on public transport in and around Greater Manchester.
If all else fails, there are still some car park tickets that you can buy online from the Live From Wythenshawe website.
For more information, you can find all the up-to-date travel stuff HERE or check out (TfGM) Transport for Greater Manchester’s guidance and even use their interactive map.
Who’s playing Live from Wythenshawe Park 2026?
- The Cure – Friday 21 August – 4.30pm-11pm – SOLD OUT
- Lewis Capaldi – Saturday 22 August – 4pm-11pm – extra tickets released
- Pulp – Friday 28 August – 4.30pm-11pm – SOLD OUT
- Courteeners – Saturday 29 August – 3pm-11pm – final tickets
- The Prodigy – Sunday 30 August – 3pm-11pm
Are there any tickets left for Live from Wythenshawe Park?
I’ll give you the bad news first – both The Cure and Pulp are sold out, though you may still be able to find some on resale websites nearer the time.
However, if you’re a Lewis Capaldi, Courteeners or The Prodigy fan, then you’re still in luck.
Click HERE for a mix of regular and VIP tickets for Lewis Capaldi from £80.85 and HERE for The Prodigy from £73.35.
For Courteeners, there are tickets from £74.55 each left that you can access HERE.
Hurry, these aren’t ones to miss out on.
Live from Wythenshawe Park festival site map
The Cure
Starting things off is The Cure – we’re set to be graced by a performance from one of the most influential rock bands of all time, and with five decades of experience under their belt, this isn’t a gig to miss.
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If you’ve managed to bag tickets your ears are about to be blessed with iconic tracks such as Just Like Heaven, Boys Don’t Cry and Friday I’m in Love – just know I’m seething with jealousy.
Joining them as special guests is Slowdive, the influential rock band central to the UK shoegaze scene, alongside Manchester’s very own The Slow Readers Club supplying some absolute anthems.
Set times for The Cure at Live from Wythenshawe Park:
- The Cure – 20:15
- Slowdive – 18:35
- The Slow Readers Club – 17:25
- Doors – 16:30
Lewis Capaldi
After previously having to cancel his performance at Wythenshawe Park in 2023, we are finally getting a chance to hear Lewis Capaldi at the same venue, and our guess is the wait will have been well worth it.
With many fans eager to hear some of Capaldi’s more recent releases from his 2023 album, ‘Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent,’ in addition to some crowd favourites like ‘Someone You Loved’ and ‘Bruises’ – be sure to pack the tissues.
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Bringing further emotive lyrics and captivating stage presence in support of Lewis will be the talented writer, actor and UK hip-hop legend Loyle Carner, as well as the beloved Glasgow-raised, indie-folk artist, Charlie Phillips AKA Quiet Man, maintaining the correct Scot-Englishman ratio for the night.
Lewis Capaldi set times (subject to change):
- Lewis Capaldi – 21:00
- Loyle Carner – 19:30
- Quiet Man – 18:30
- Doors – 16:00
Pulp
Following the release of their first album in 24 years, Pulp are set to headline Live From Wythenshawe Park and as one of the rare opportunities to see them live, this isn’t one to miss.
You can expect a combination of classics like ‘Common People,’ ‘Babies’ and new hits from their album ‘More.’
Pulp will be performing alongside Self Esteem AKA musician and actress Rebecca Lucy Taylor. Self Esteem is known for her brilliant songwriting, as well as being a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and even a theatre composer – what can’t she do?
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Courteeners
Courteeners have also kindly agreed to a huge one-off performance for us and you’ll kick yourself if you miss out on this one.
Not only are you getting Courteeners but they will be joined by a sensational lineup including The Vaccines, The Coral, Get Down Services, and Girl In The Year Below – what more could you ask for?
Just imagine the sun setting on one of the last nights of summer, plastic pint glass in-hand, surrounded by friends having listened to some of your favourite nostalgic indie music and then Courteeners walk out onto the stage to end the night.
Just do yourself a favour and buy a ticket – You’re ‘Not Nineteen Forever.’
The Prodigy
Off the back of their fastest ever selling tour earlier this year, The Prodigy are down to headline at Wythenshawe Park too with their Warriors Dance experience, as one extra show for us Mancunians – aren’t they good to us?
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Just imagine hearing ‘Firestarter’ in the flesh.
Not only that, but the legendary band is set to make history, uniting four of the most influential musicians of our time for one night only.
Joining The Prodigy will be Carl Cox, Andy C and Mr David “Ram Jam” Rodigan, as well as sets from DJ and producer ¥ØUUK€ ¥UK1MATU and Trap Metal pioneer SCARLXRD.
Everyone ‘Breathe’ – we can’t quite believe it either.
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Featured image: We Are Indigo/@sophiajcarey
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