The Met Office has shared its verdict on the possibility of another heatwave in the UK. There's been a dramatic change in the weather this week, and heavy rain and thundery showers are forecast this weekend.
Heatwave conditions earlier this year
Areas across England and Wales have experienced heatwave conditions on three separate occasions so far this year, and there's a chance more hot weather could return in August. However, the Met Office said we should expect to see "fresher conditions" before the return of any scorching weather. Rain is expected this weekend, sweeping across the north west including Merseyside.
Chief forecaster's comments
Speaking about the weather over the coming weeks, chief forecaster Steve Willington said: “The high pressure has been a key feature of the UK’s weather forecast over the last few weeks, bringing above-average temperatures and extremely dry conditions for many. However, we will begin to see a modest change as a weak weather front pushes south across the UK on Saturday bringing some much-needed rain, albeit it light and mainly concentrated in the north and west. Behind the front a showery air mass will bring potentially heavy showers some of which may be thundery.”
Temperature contrast
Temperatures remain in the low 20s throughout this week, proving to be a sharp contrast to the 30C weather experienced for several days earlier this month. While warmer temperatures are forecast in the south, wet weather in the north is "much-needed" according to the Met Office.
Outlook for the end of the week
Looking ahead to the end of the week, deputy chief forecaster Greg Wolverson said: “Fresher conditions will prevail from Sunday onwards, but temperatures will remain around average for the time of year.” Next week, Atlantic-dominated weather fronts will push in from the west bringing some rain, but in between there will be brighter spells, which in the July sunshine should increase temperatures to the mid 20s.
Mr Wolverson added: “Although there is a return to rain in the forecast, we have just come out of an exceptionally dry spell and the forecast rain is unlikely to be widespread or substantial. Many areas are likely to continue experiencing prevailing dry conditions for the foreseeable future, especially in southern England.”
