The Met Office has warned that 38 areas across the UK will experience heavy rain, hail, and thunder on Wednesday, with showers spreading from early morning. The band of low pressure sweeping in from the west will bring disruption throughout the day.
Affected Regions
North Wales and parts of the Midlands are expected to be worst hit, but the unpleasant weather will persist for most of the country for the rest of the week. Last month's heatwave now seems a distant memory as temperatures drop below average. The mercury fell to 12.6°C in Malham, North Yorkshire, on Monday, compared to the 30°C highs seen in May.
Timeline of Rain
By around 2pm on Wednesday, rain will be widespread, covering almost the entire UK. The most intense rainfall is forecast for parts of central England, where up to 16mm could fall. Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire may receive around 8mm, while south Wales faces 4mm. Radar imagery also shows yellow and orange rain echoes across parts of Scotland.
Later, the rain will shift to engulf Dorset, Hampshire, and West Sussex. Humberside can expect 2-4mm. London remains one of the few areas not predicted to experience heavy rain, though isolated showers are possible.
By 4.30pm, rain will largely clear from Wales, Devon, Cornwall, and the West Midlands. However, Essex, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk will bear the worst of the downpours, with up to 8mm anticipated.
Rest of the Week
Northern England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland will continue to see scattered showers throughout the day. Conditions are expected to brighten later in the week, with some southern areas potentially reaching 26-28°C by Sunday. Deputy Chief Meteorologist David Oliver said: 'Over this weekend, the weather will become drier and more settled as high pressure begins to build. It will turn warmer with temperatures above average for many.'
Full List of 38 Areas
England: Lancashire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cheshire, Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire, Leicestershire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Greater London, Essex, Kent, Surrey, Hampshire, Devon, Cornwall.
Wales: Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire, Bridgend, Cardiff, Rhondda Cynon Taf.
Northern Ireland: Armagh, Londonderry.
Scotland: Highland, Argyll and Bute, Moray, Aberdeenshire.
