Heavy downpours are set to hit 26 areas across the UK on Thursday as the Met Office warns thunderstorms are “likely each day” during a three-day unsettled spell. More than 32mm/h are forecast in some places in England.
Unsettled period begins Wednesday
After months of record-breaking temperatures, drought and devastating wildfires, the UK is at last getting some much-needed rain. Sporadic showers will develop on Wednesday, the Met Office said, becoming heavy and thundery from the later afternoon, with significant rainfall coming in from the south of England in the night.
The weather will get worse from Wednesday, when an "unsettled period" will begin. Giving a forecast for Wednesday to Friday, the Met Office said: "Low pressure moving in from the southwest will bring an unsettled period, with heavy downpours and thunderstorms likely each day. Turning increasingly humid, with temperatures staying a little above average."
Areas affected on Thursday
Throughout the three days, most of England, Wales and Scotland will face heavy downpours, with Northern Ireland only facing some sporadic showers. The areas affected include cities like Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds, Bristol, Birmingham and Truro. Some rain will also reach Cardiff and Edinburgh, and London will also experience similar weather.
The rain appears to be the heaviest on Thursday, when the North East of England and the South West will be affected. As the early morning progresses, South West and South East Wales and Southampton will also face downpours of up to 32 mm/h. Most of the Midlands, the North West and Yorkshire and the Humber will be hit by similar conditions in the afternoon, with rain in some places reaching over 32 mm/h.
Some lighter rain of up to 8 mm/h will cover parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland throughout the day.
Rainfall above average into September
The weather will remain unsettled into September, with rainfall amounts forecast to be above average for this time of year. Regarding the August 29 – September 7 period, the Met Office said: "An unsettled start to this period, as showers or longer spells of rain are possible across many parts of the UK."
Some heavy rain is likely, perhaps with some thunderstorms too. It will likely remain changeable into early September, with rainfall amounts probably above average for the time of year and the potential for some strong winds at times. "However, some drier, more settled interludes could develop at times. Temperatures are likely to be near average, although some short-lived warm or hot spells are possible, especially in the south."
