The Met Office has warned Britons to prepare for an end to the prolonged period of sunshine, with wet conditions forecast to arrive in many parts of the country by the start of next week. The forecaster expects heavy rain to hit 12 specific regions, primarily in northern and eastern areas, from Monday.
Wet Weather Moving In
Meteorologists predict that Northern Ireland, Scotland, and northern England will see the most significant rainfall. According to the Met Office, "Northern and north-western areas will be cloudier with occasional patchy rain or drizzle. Into the weekend and perhaps the start of next week, more unsettled weather with rain at times, especially across northern parts of the UK." The forecaster added that the rain "may very well reach southern areas too, but could become more light and patchy here."
12 Areas on Alert
The Met Office has identified 12 regions most likely to be impacted from Monday. The list, as reported by the Daily Mirror, includes:
- Scotland: Caithness, Sutherland, Ross-shire
- Northern Ireland: County Antrim, County Londonderry (Derry)
- North East England: Northumberland, County Durham
- Yorkshire and the Humber: North Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire
- East Midlands: Lincolnshire
- East Anglia: Norfolk, Suffolk
Brighter Days Ahead
Despite the gloomy start to the week, conditions are expected to improve. The Met Office forecasts that Tuesday through Thursday will see "staying settled through the week with patchy cloud and the odd shower in the north. Staying warm to very warm with temperatures in the mid to high 20s." Towards the end of July, weather experts predict a return to sunshine and dry spells, with temperatures soaring again. The Met Office said: "There are signs that high pressure will return, which means dry conditions would resume, especially in the south. Winds will be mostly light or moderate, occasionally fresh around northern coasts. Temperatures are expected to be near or above normal, warmest in the south, perhaps becoming very warm again by the start of August."
