The Met Office has provided an update on when Greater Manchester and north west England could finally see some rain, as warm and dry conditions persist across much of the UK this week. According to a Met Office forecaster speaking to the Manchester Evening News, there is little rain in the forecast for the region this week, but Saturday may bring a chance of precipitation.
Current Weather and Water Restrictions
The UK has experienced 28 days with temperatures exceeding 30C so far in 2026: seven in May, eight in June, and 13 in July. The record for the number of 30C-plus days in a calendar year is 34, set in 1995. Although Greater Manchester is no longer in a heatwave, temperatures are forecast to reach highs of 25C this week, dropping to around 20C on Saturday and Sunday.
The lack of rain has led to water restrictions in parts of the UK. South East Water announced temporary restrictions in Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, and Berkshire, affecting 2.4 million customers from Saturday. The company is asking customers to stop using hosepipes for gardens, cars, patios, boats, or swimming pools.
Reservoir Levels and Drought Report
The Environment Agency released its weekly dry weather and drought report on Friday, revealing that reservoir storage levels in England are currently at 79%, approximately five percentage points below the long-term average for this time of year. Six reservoirs are classified as having 'notably low' levels, including Wimbleball in Somerset, Grafham in Cambridgeshire, and Hanningfield in Essex. Blagdon reservoir in Somerset is classed as 'exceptionally low'.
Rain Forecast for North West England
Current forecasts do not show significant rain this week. There is expected to be some light rain in the far north of Scotland on Tuesday and Wednesday, and possibly light showers along the east coast. For Manchester and the north west, the Met Office indicates that a band of rain will approach from the north west on Saturday, moving south-eastwards through the day. However, forecasters explain that the rain will weaken as it moves southeast, and further details on rainfall amounts will become clearer as the week progresses.
Met Office weather maps show a band of rain sweeping across Scotland and parts of northern England in the early hours of Saturday. The long-range forecast for July 24 to August 2 suggests that there could be more rain over the next two weeks, with a return to high pressure. 'Dry on Friday for most with sunny spells. Northern and northwestern areas will be cloudier with occasional patchy rain or drizzle,' the forecast reads. 'Into the weekend and perhaps the start of next week, more unsettled weather with rain at times, especially across northern parts of the UK. This rain may very well reach southern areas too, but could become more light and patchy here.'
The forecast continues: 'Confidence becomes lower as we approach the turn of the month, but there are signs that high pressure will return, which means dry conditions would resume, especially in the south. Winds will be mostly light or moderate, occasionally fresh around northern coasts. Temperatures are expected to be near or above normal, warmest in the south, perhaps becoming very warm again by the start of August.'
