The Met Office has confirmed that Britain's recent warm spell will come to an abrupt end this weekend, with temperatures plunging to as low as 7°C in some areas and rain returning on Monday. According to forecasters MetDesk, 14 council areas across England and Scotland will see temperatures below 10°C, primarily during the early morning at 6am.
Areas Affected by the Cold Snap
The coolest parts of England include Westmorland, Cumberland, Northumberland, North Yorkshire, and County Durham. In Scotland, nine areas will drop below 10°C: Highland, Aberdeenshire, Moray, Perth and Kinross, Argyll and Bute, Scottish Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, East Ayrshire, and South Ayrshire. These unseasonably low temperatures mark a stark contrast to the recent heatwave.
Rain Returns on Monday
Rain is forecast to make a comeback on Monday, July 20, according to the Met Office. Its weather map shows scattered showers over Scotland, north Wales, and southeast England. The Met Office's forecast for Sunday and Monday states: "Many remaining fine and dry with sunny spells, though patchy rain possible in the north where cloud thickens. Temperatures near the seasonal norm on Sunday, then trending above next week."
Outlook for Next Week
Despite the cool start, temperatures are expected to pick up in the middle of next week. However, the Met Office's long-range forecast warns of more rain returning the following weekend, with potential thunderstorms just as the school holidays begin. The forecast explains: "Initially predominantly dry with large sunny spells away from the northwest where cooler, cloudier and wetter conditions are most likely. Though there will be a few isolated showers further south at times. Becoming very warm again in parts of the south before the weekend introduces a more widely unsettled and showery period including risk of thunderstorms - though still some good sunny spells and temperatures around or just above average for most."
City Temperatures Remain Warm
While rural areas cool down, major UK cities will remain warm. London is forecast to see highs of 25°C and lows of 15°C this weekend. Cardiff will be hotter, with highs of 26°C on Saturday and 25°C on Sunday, with lows of 15°C and 13°C respectively. In Scotland, Edinburgh faces 21°C highs and 11°C lows on Saturday, followed by 23°C and 13°C. Belfast will see similar temperatures: 22°C on Saturday and 21°C on Sunday.
