The Met Office has identified 19 areas across the UK that will experience heavy rain this weekend, as the current heatwave, with temperatures reaching 36C in some regions, comes to an end.
Rain forecast for Scotland and England
The areas expected to see rain include Caithness, Sutherland, Ross & Cromarty, Invernesshire, Nairnshire, Moray, Banffshire, Aberdeenshire, Kincardineshire, Angus, Perthshire, Argyll, Ayrshire, Dumfrieshire, Wigtonshire, Bute, and Kirkcudbrightshire in Scotland, as well as Cumbria and Lancashire in England.
The Met Office's latest maps show heavy rain over parts of Scotland on Thursday, with spots of rain over many Scottish regions, Northern Ireland, and small parts of England in the days that follow. Rain will persist in some areas on Saturday.
Heatwave peak and drought conditions
Before the rain arrives, another heatwave will push temperatures up to around 36C in parts of the country. This Thursday, August 13, areas such as London and the South of England will see temperatures in the high 30s, with low 30s and high 20s stretching as far as the North of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
The UK has already registered its 34th day of temperatures reaching 30C (86F) or higher in a calendar year, equalling the record set in 1995. Eight areas across southern, central, and eastern England and Wales have been declared in drought, with over 23 million households facing hosepipe bans.
Long-term outlook
The Met Office says that the 10-day period starting on Saturday, August 15, will see sunny spells and showers in the north, while the south will remain largely dry. "Through Sunday and into the start of the following week, Atlantic frontal systems will probably approach or move across the UK, bringing some rain in places, perhaps heavy at times," the current forecast adds.
"Temperatures will likely be near normal or slightly above. Later in the period, high pressure will probably have more of an influence, with drier conditions developing for many. Some rain is still possible at times, particularly in the north, together with a risk of thunderstorms in the south. Temperatures will likely be above normal."
Later in the month, the Met Office predicts dominant high pressure, resulting in periods of dry weather for many regions. "However, some more unsettled or changeable interludes are probable at times, bringing showers or some longer spells of rain, although overall rainfall amounts are more likely to be below average than above," its forecast reads. "Temperatures will likely be above average, and some spells of hot weather and heatwaves are possible, especially in the south."
