The Met Office has forecast a change in weather early next week, with warmer and more humid air returning to England and Wales. The new conditions could bring showers or thunderstorms to some places, according to the national weather agency.
The update, issued on Friday July 31, also addressed the UK’s recent dry spell. The agency noted that a “prolonged heatwave, exceptionally low rainfall and widespread drought conditions have combined to make July 2026 a remarkable month”.
Driest July in 190 years
Early provisional statistics covering the period up to and including July 30 show both England and Wales are on course for their driest July in 190 years. Several counties across England have seen less than 1mm of rainfall during the entire month so far.
The Met Office anticipated sunny spells over the weekend, with showers across Scotland on Saturday that would ease by Sunday.
Low pressure arriving Monday
From Monday, an area of low pressure will extend across the UK from the southwest, bringing a spell of potentially heavy rain to parts of the north with showers in the south. The agency said it would also bring “warmer and more humid air back across England and Wales, with 30C likely to be exceeded again for some”.
Chief Forecaster Chris Bulmer said: “A change in weather type early next week will see warmer conditions return across England and Wales but in contrast to much of the summer, this will be associated with showers or perhaps thunderstorms for some places. However, some parts of the south will only see small amounts of rain. It will stay cooler in the north with the potential for heavy rain to build up, especially over parts of Scotland.”
Saturday night and Sunday
The Met Office’s forecast for Saturday evening and night says any showers across Scotland will ease, leaving many with a dry night and clear spells. Temperatures will be lower than the previous night, making it chillier away from the southeast, with rural temperatures down in the low single figures.
On Sunday, a few showers are expected in Scotland, but otherwise it should be fine and dry with plenty of hazy sunshine in the south. It will be very warm there, with cloud thickening in the west later.
