The Met Office has warned that parts of the UK could see hail and thunder this week as heavy showers are forecast across the country. This comes after the fifth widespread heatwave last week, which saw temperatures surpass 38C at its peak, and as large parts of England and all of Wales remain in drought following weeks of hot, dry weather.
Rain Arrives After Prolonged Dry Spell
Monday saw rain arriving into Northern Ireland and western Scotland before spreading eastwards through the afternoon and evening, with some of this rain becoming locally heavy, particularly across western areas. Showers and longer outbreaks of rain will continue across many northern parts on Tuesday.
Greater Manchester, along with the North East, Yorkshire, Cumbria, Lancashire, Merseyside and Cheshire, remain in prolonged dry weather, which is the category before a drought. Wessex Water became the latest utility to announce a hosepipe ban on Monday, August 17, after weeks of heatwaves and dry weather left many areas facing water shortages. There are now more than 27 million people across England facing water restrictions.
Unsettled Conditions and Heavy Showers
Conditions will turn increasingly unsettled on Wednesday, with frequent showers across Northern Ireland, Scotland and parts of northern England, which could be heavy enough to produce hail and thunder. Thursday is expected to be one of the most unsettled days of the week, with heavy and potentially thundery showers expected across many parts of the UK, with England and Wales most likely to see the most intense downpours.
"Some places could experience brief periods of very heavy rain, hail and isolated thunderstorms," the Met Office says. The theme continues onto Friday, with England and Wales seeing the greatest concentration of showers which could be heavy and thundery.
Impact on Drought Uncertain
Although rainfall is on the forecast, the Met Office has said they remain cautious about the impact it will have. "Many of the wettest periods this week are expected to come in the form of showers rather than prolonged, steady rain," the Met Office says. "Showers can be highly variable, with some places receiving significant amounts of rain while neighbouring locations see very little. Heavy downpours can also run off very dry ground rather than soaking deeply into the soil."
The Met Office notes that the scale of the recent dry spell is illustrated by the number of locations still recording exceptionally long runs without significant rainfall. Wisley in Surrey has recorded 61 consecutive dry days, while Heathrow and Odiham have each gone 55 days without meaningful rain. Several other locations across southern England have recorded dry spells lasting more than six weeks.
The Met Office concludes that a few days of showers are unlikely to completely reverse the effects of such prolonged dryness.
