The Met Office has named 20 areas across the UK that will be hit by heavy rain on Friday, July 3, with the latest forecast maps showing bands of persistent rain pushing into western and northern regions while much of England and Wales remains largely dry.
Rainfall Timing and Affected Areas
The forecast maps, generated on Thursday, July 2, suggest the wettest conditions will develop through Friday evening and continue overnight into Saturday. By around 11pm, widespread rain is shown stretching across western and central parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland, extending into northwest England.
According to the Met Office's Friday forecast: "It will remain breezy in the north with patchy rain, mainly affecting the west of Scotland. Elsewhere there will be clear periods with a few fog patches. A mild night."
Regional Breakdown
The areas most likely to see rain on Friday include:
- Scotland: Argyll and Bute, Highland, Na h-Eileanan Siar (Western Isles), Stirling, Perth and Kinross, West Dunbartonshire, East Dunbartonshire, Glasgow, Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway
- Northern Ireland: County Antrim, County Londonderry, County Tyrone, County Fermanagh, County Armagh, County Down
- England: Cumbria
In total, 20 areas are listed, with Scotland bearing the brunt of the rainfall. The forecast animation shows outbreaks of rain arriving from the Atlantic in the morning, becoming more organised through the afternoon. By late evening, downpours are shown across western Scotland and Northern Ireland, with some lighter blue and green patches suggesting locally heavier bursts.
Dry Conditions in Southern England
Meanwhile, much of southern and eastern England is expected to escape the worst of the wet weather. Places such as London, the Midlands, East Anglia and the southeast will remain largely dry and enjoy spells of warm sunshine. The contrast across the UK is expected to become increasingly clear, with northern regions staying cooler and wetter while southern areas remain warmer and drier for the most part.
Outlook for Saturday to Monday
In its outlook for Saturday, July 4, to Monday, July 6, the Met Office said: "Scotland, Northern Ireland and the northwest of England will often be rather cloudy and breezy with outbreaks of rain. Mostly dry further south with some sunshine. Turning hot in places."
The rain on Friday comes ahead of a forecast heatwave, with UK weather maps turning volcanic red for a 39°C scorcher, as the Met Office has issued a heatwave verdict for next week.
