New weather maps from WXCharts, using MetDesk data, indicate that the UK's third heatwave of the year, with temperatures exceeding 30°C, is set to end abruptly as a 200-mile rain bomb brings heavy rain to 25 counties. The unsettled conditions are forecast to arrive next weekend, with a major stretch of rain on July 19 spanning from Cumbria in North West England to Northamptonshire in the East Midlands—a distance of 220 miles.
Counties Affected and Rainfall Intensity
The East of England is also expected to experience downpours, with Suffolk predicted to receive up to 7.5mm per hour on Sunday, July 19. The full list of counties expecting rain includes Devon, Dorset, London, Surrey, Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex, Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Cheshire, Merseyside, Lancashire, Cumbria, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Rutland, Leicestershire, Durham, Hertfordshire, and Buckinghamshire.
Met Office Warning and Long-Range Forecast
The Met Office has warned of a risk of thunderstorms from mid-July, with more unsettled conditions possible. Its forecast for July 15 to 24 states: "High pressure to the northeast of the UK with low pressure over the Bay of Biscay starts the period with broadly settled weather for the north of the UK with a risk of thunderstorms into the south of the UK from France at times." The forecast adds: "Through the weekend potentially turning more unsettled from the south before more settled conditions arrive from the west. Uncertain into the next week as cloud and longer spells of rain threaten the NW and possibly running through the UK at times."
Temperature Outlook
Temperatures are expected to be warm or very warm initially, possibly hot in the southwest, but will likely ease to warm or near average over the weekend. Further hot spells remain possible, especially in the south.
