Met Office names 25 areas facing Sunday downpours as rain belt hits UK

The Met Office has identified 25 areas that will see showers on Sunday (August 9), with at least four facing heavy downpours as the hot summer spell gives way to rain. Weather maps have turned blue across parts of the country as a belt of rain is forecast to move across the UK.

Rain belt to hit Scotland and Northern Ireland

Forecasters predict the rain will sweep across Scotland and Northern Ireland, which are expected to bear the brunt of the heavier downpours. Maps turn yellow in some areas, indicating higher rainfall rates per hour. These include Fort William, Stranraer and Aberdeen in Scotland, as well as Belfast in Northern Ireland.

Rain is forecast to spread across both countries later tonight and into the early hours, with showers expected from midnight through to around 10am.

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Rain spreading to England and Wales

Northern England will then see patches of rain moving in from Sunday morning, hitting Kendal and Newcastle first before spreading into Lancashire and Greater Manchester. Meanwhile, Caernarfon in Wales can brace for rain later in the night from around 10pm.

Showers arrive ahead of further unsettled weather on Monday, when the Met Office forecasts more rain across as many as 12 areas of the UK.

Met Office meteorologist's forecast

Met Office meteorologist Honor Criswick said: "As we head into Monday, northerly winds will drag some cloud southwards, bringing rain across the far north of Scotland."

"We could also see a little bit of rain around the east coast of England, but the best of the brightness is likely going to be across southern parts of Wales and southern England. This is where we'll see the highest temperatures as well, reaching around 25C to 26C."