The Met Office has identified 18 areas across Scotland and northern England that will face heavy rain on Saturday, July 4, as unsettled weather persists before a forecast heatwave next week.
Affected Areas and Rainfall Intensity
The worst-affected regions include Cumbria, which could see localised downpours of up to 4mm per hour. The East Riding of Yorkshire and Lancashire are also expected to experience rain, though at lower intensities of no more than 2mm per hour. Other areas in northern England on the list include Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham, North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, and Cheshire.
In Scotland, the affected regions are Sutherland, Caithness, Ross and Cromarty, Inverness-shire, Nairnshire, Argyll, and Orkney & Shetland. Northern Ireland is also likely to see outbreaks of rain, according to the Met Office forecast.
Contrasting Conditions Across the UK
While the north and west experience rain, southern and eastern England are expected to remain mainly dry and bright, with sunny spells. The Met Office stated that conditions in the south and east could be "turning hot," with temperatures rising significantly later in the week.
Rain may arrive as early as Friday, with showers reaching north-west England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, while southern areas stay mostly dry.
Upcoming Heatwave Warning
The instability is set to continue into next week, but the Met Office has issued an extreme heatwave warning. A prolonged marine heatwave is expected to intensify, with surface waters in north-west European seas currently experiencing moderate to severe marine heatwave conditions, classified as "strong" or "severe."
Net Weather maps indicate that the UK could see extreme highs peaking on Thursday, July 9, with London forecast to reach 39C. Nearby Berkshire is also expected to hit 39C, while Hertfordshire may climb to 38C.
Full List of 18 Areas Facing Heavy Rain on Saturday
Scotland: Sutherland, Caithness, Ross and Cromarty, Inverness-shire, Nairnshire, Argyll, Orkney & Shetland.
England: Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cheshire, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham, North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire.
