The Met Office has forecast light rain for 20 areas across the UK on Monday, July 20, as the recent heatwave gives way to cooler temperatures. Weather maps show precipitation likely in parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, northern England, and East Anglia, with most areas seeing less than 0.5mm per hour.
Rainfall expected overnight and into Monday morning
Northern Ireland and Scotland are expected to be hit the most, particularly between midnight and 7am. The Met Office rainfall map indicates light rain spreading across northern Scotland and into parts of Northern Ireland during the early hours. By 10am, rain may move towards East Anglia, affecting Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.
Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan said: "It will turn increasingly damp across northern Scotland as we go through the coming night. Some patchy rain possibly filtering down into parts of Northern Ireland as well, but for most, it will stay dry, lengthy clear period, perhaps some isolated mist and fog patches forming in the countryside, and a much widely cooler night to come tonight, so a much more comfortable night sleep."
Cooler temperatures follow record heat
The forecast comes after parts of the UK experienced temperatures above 30C this month. June 2026 became the hottest June on record, and central and south-east England saw the longest unbroken spell of no recorded rainfall this century, with zero rainfall for 14 consecutive days from July 2 to July 15, according to the Met Office.
Monday's temperatures are not expected to exceed 25C, providing relief after three heatwaves so far this year. Much of Wales and the South West are set to remain dry.
Full list of 20 areas facing rain on Monday
The Met Office has identified the following areas likely to see light rain:
Scotland
- Caithness
- Sutherland
- Ross-shire
- Cromartyshire
- Banffshire
- Kincardineshire
- Aberdeenshire
- Inverness-shire
Northern Ireland
- County Antrim
- County Londonderry (Derry)
- County Tyrone
- County Down
North East England
- Northumberland
- County Durham
Yorkshire and the Humber
- North Yorkshire
- East Riding of Yorkshire
East Midlands
- Lincolnshire
East Anglia
- Norfolk
- Suffolk
- Cambridgeshire
Downpours appear unlikely anywhere in the country, but the shift to cooler, wetter weather marks a significant change after the prolonged hot and dry spell.
