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General Election 2019: Polling day weather forecast in Kent

With less than 35 hours to go until the polls open for the first December election since 1923, politicians from all parties will be casting anxious eyes towards the heavens.

Bad weather generally results in a lower turnout and who can predict what effect the darker evenings may have on people's willingness to venture out in Kent - especially if they are not that enamoured with any party.

Lester Gosbee, sheep farmer and amateur forecaster, testing the weather
Lester Gosbee, sheep farmer and amateur forecaster, testing the weather

Lester Gosbee is a sheep farmer from Frittenden and an amateur weatherman who takes daily recordings of rainfall and temperatures for the Met Office.

He has also been predicting the weather for the Kent Messenger - our sister newspaper - for more than 20 years.

We asked him what the weather was going to be like on polling day.

He said: "A deep area of low pressure will spread spells of persistent rain all day, which will ease by evening.

"There could be some local flooding in low-lying areas.

"Winds will be gale force from the south east on the Channel coast, with gusts of gale force winds inland. Temperatures will be around 10C/50F."

So not the sort of weather you would vote for.

However, when we wake up on Friday with a new Government of whatever hue, things will look a little more optimistic.

Mr Gosbee promises us: "A lovely winter's day with long sunny spells and much lighter winds."

For more Kent 2019 General Election coverage click here

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