Forecast maps reveal a 300-mile band of rain is set to sweep across England on Tuesday, July 28, bringing heavy downpours to several regions after weeks of dry conditions and heat-health alerts. The latest data from WXCharts shows a long corridor of wet weather stretching from northern England through the Midlands and towards the south coast by midday.
Heaviest Rain Expected in Northern Counties
The maps indicate blue shading for lighter or persistent rainfall along much of the band, while green, yellow and orange patches highlight the most intense bursts. The heaviest rain is concentrated across northern counties, including parts of North Yorkshire and County Durham, with the band extending south through the East Midlands, central England and towards the south coast. A separate pocket of heavier showers is also forecast over parts of central Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Met Office Forecast for Late July
The Met Office forecast for July 19-28 states: "Towards the latter part of July, the influence of high pressure may wane somewhat, allowing a greater chance of rain, showers or thunderstorms compared to earlier in the month." This change could offer relief after another spell of intense summer heat.
East-West Split and Temperature Contrast
The maps also point to a noticeable east-west split, with the main rain band affecting western and central parts of England, while many eastern areas remain largely dry. Cooler air is expected to spread eastwards behind the rain, while the South East hangs on to the warmest temperatures. This could create a marked contrast between cloudier, wetter conditions in the west and brighter, warmer weather further east. Even where rain is forecast, southeast England is expected to remain relatively warm, with temperatures reaching 27C to 28C, compared with the low 20Cs across much of northern and central England and the mid-to-high teens in Scotland.
Eight Areas Most Likely to See Heaviest Rain
The eight areas most likely to experience the heaviest downpours are: County Durham, North Yorkshire, Northumberland, West Yorkshire, Derbyshire, parts of Staffordshire, parts of Warwickshire, and parts of Hampshire.
