- After four consecutive months of temperatures reaching 35C or higher, including two separate heatwaves with highs of 38C, this week marks a turning point.
- More than half of England has declared drought, and a switch in air mass this week will mean a shock to the system for many, with a northerly air direction lowering temperatures.
- This week marks a turning point with fresher conditions, rain, and even thunderstorms expected in parts of the UK.
- Temperatures will slide across the UK: south-east sees 26C on Tuesday, 24C on Wednesday and Thursday, and 21-22C on Friday.
- High pressure returns by the end of next weekend with drier conditions, but it’ll be a 'cooler high' this time.
- Much of the south of England and southern Wales will stay dry, with some showery bursts from Thursday onwards, but some areas of the south will still not receive enough rain to end drought conditions.
- Parts of the south-east haven’t recorded any rain since mid June, and heavy thundery downpours may struggle to infiltrate the baked ground, creating surface water but remaining needed.
- Many areas, including parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, northern England, and Wales, have more rain forecast, offering relief in drier areas.
The UK is experiencing a notable shift in weather patterns as the Met Office predicts an end to the recent heatwave, with temperatures in the south-east expected to drop from 26C to 21C this week.
After four months of extreme heat, including two heatwaves with highs of 38C, the arrival of rain and thunderstorms is a welcome change.5
Many regions, particularly in northern England and Wales, are forecasted to receive significant rainfall, providing relief to areas suffering from drought conditions.23489
More than half of England has declared drought, with some southern areas not recording any rain since mid-June. The anticipated rain, however, may struggle to penetrate the hardened ground, leading to surface water issues.
The shift in air mass, moving to a northerly direction, will bring cooler temperatures across the country, with Scotland and Northern Ireland seeing highs of 16-19C by the weekend.
While high pressure is expected to return by the end of next weekend, it will bring a “cooler high”, resulting in drier conditions but with lower temperatures overall.7
This week marks a turning point for the UK’s weather, as the nation transitions from prolonged heat to a more temperate climate.
“More than half of England has declared drought, with parts of the south-east seeing no rain since mid-June. Heavy thundery downpours may struggle to infiltrate baked ground, creating surface water but remaining needed.”
