Met Office mistakes huge swarm of flying ants over London for rain
Flying ants have once again taken to the skies of London, with swarms so big that the Met Office weather radar has mistaken them for rain.
On Sunday, millions of the bugs filled the skies across the country on what is known as “Flying Ant day”.
Undeterred, the winged insects have returned in huge swarms today, turning up as rainclouds on the Met Office’s systems.
In a tweet, the Met Office wrote: “It’s not raining in London, Kent or Sussex, but our radar says otherwise.
“The radar is actually picking up a swarm of flying ants across the southeast.
“During the summer ants can take to the skies in a mass emergence usually on warm, humid and windless days”.
The invasion is a yearly occurrence also known as “nuptial day”, and sees swarms of the creatures descend on towns and cities across the UK as males and queens leave their nests in search of mates.
On Sunday GMB’s weather equipment also mistook the flying ants for rain.
People took to Twitter in a swarm to rival even the flying ants to complain about the winged insects.
“Flying ants! The facemask is finding an unexpected secondary use!” declared Neil Denham.
Remainer Dammi Lamon added: “Britain 2020: #BorisJohnson, #Brexit, #floods, #COVID__19, next it‘s #FlyingAnts. When are the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse due?”
And plenty of Brits in the south east saw their afternoons spoiled by the cloud of creatures.
Karen Chamberlain complained when the bugs ruined her relaxing afternoon of reading.
“Brew made & sat outside reading my book to suddenly be engulfed in a swarm of flying ants, hundreds of the damn things,” she wrote. “2020 really can do one!!”