The Met Office has identified 60 major UK towns and cities expected to experience rain on Tuesday, August 18, as a band of heavy precipitation brings the recent heatwave to a close. This follows the hottest temperature of the year so far, 38C, recorded in Kew on Thursday, August 13.
Rain and Thunderstorms Forecast
Downpours are expected to drench millions of Britons on Monday evening and throughout Tuesday. Meteorologists also anticipate possible thunderstorms.
The Met Office forecast for Monday states: “Remaining cloudy in the north with outbreaks of rain, turning heavier and more persistent later. Further south, hazy sunshine will develop, making it feel very warm and humid.”
For Tuesday to Thursday, the forecast reads: “Rain gradually clearing to the south throughout Tuesday introducing fresher conditions. Largely dry in the south Wednesday, otherwise a mix of sunshine and showers. Showers becoming more widespread Thursday.”
Meteorologist Comments
Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan said: “I can’t promise rain for all of us through the week ahead, but in the south at least, it’s looking like the most changeable week we’ve seen here – well at least since the end of June. So as well as some rain, showers, and even thunderstorms in places, it will certainly feel considerably fresher than recent weeks in the south.”
Timing and Affected Areas
Weather maps show a band of heavy rain arriving on Monday, soaking Scotland, north Wales, and northern England in the early hours of Tuesday. By 7am, that wall of rain moves eastwards to Europe, followed by outbreaks of rain across western parts of the country, including south west England, Wales, and western Scotland.
As the morning progresses, showers begin to fizzle out, with only isolated downpours at lunchtime. However, by mid-afternoon, more rain returns in Scotland. In the evening, another band of rain hits the Midlands and south east, then moves to East Anglia.
The 60 major towns and cities expected to see rain on Tuesday, August 18, include Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Belfast, Derry/Londonderry, Cardiff, Newport, Swansea, and numerous English cities such as Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Sheffield, London, and many others across the North West, North East, Yorkshire, West Midlands, East Midlands, East of England, South West, and South East.
