The Met Office has forecast heavy rain across 34 areas in the UK on Wednesday, urging Britons to prepare for a wetter spell this week. After weeks of hot and dry conditions, bands of rain are expected to spread across parts of the country from the early hours, becoming more widespread through the afternoon and evening, with some showers lingering into early Thursday.
Rain to Affect England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
The latest forecast indicates rain will affect parts of England, with showers also expected in parts of Wales as more unsettled weather moves in. The Met Office's outlook for Wednesday to Friday states: "Rather unsettled in the north over the next few days with rain or showers. Some showers in the south at first, but turning drier from Thursday."
Northern parts of the UK are likely to remain the most unsettled through the second half of the week, while southern areas should gradually become drier from Thursday.
Previous Warnings and Impacts
The forecast follows a wet start to the week, with warnings of heavy rain in the north and scattered showers and thunderstorms further south on Tuesday. A yellow thunderstorm warning covered all six counties of Northern Ireland, with potential for torrential downpours, hail, and strong gusty winds. The warning also highlighted possible flooding to a small number of homes and businesses, difficult driving conditions, train delays, lightning damage, and isolated power cuts.
Heaviest Rain Expected Later in the Day
Wednesday's forecast continues the changeable pattern, with the heaviest rain expected to develop later in the day. Forecast maps indicate the most persistent downpours during Wednesday evening, with some showers lingering into early Thursday before easing.
Full List of Areas Forecast to See Heavy Rain
Scotland: Shetland, Orkney, Highland, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Perth and Kinross, Argyll and Bute, Stirling, Clackmannanshire, Fife, West Dunbartonshire, East Dunbartonshire, Glasgow, Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, East Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire.
Northern Ireland: Antrim, Londonderry (Derry), Tyrone, Fermanagh, Armagh, Down.
England: Cumbria, Northumberland, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Lancashire.
Wales: Conwy, Gwynedd.
