The upcoming week in the UK may see rain and thunderstorms as a temporary break from the dry summer. With four heatwaves hitting Britain in 2026, drought conditions persisted from July to August due to low rainfall and prolonged heatwaves. However, the start of August is expected to bring much-needed showers to some regions.
Starting from Monday, low pressure will spread across the country, potentially causing rain and thunderstorms in various areas. While heavy rain may hit the north, lighter showers are expected in the south. Despite the rain forecast, warm and humid weather is anticipated to return to parts of England and Wales, with temperatures possibly exceeding 30°C again.
Met Office’s Chief Forecaster, Chris Bulmer, mentioned a weather change early next week, bringing warmer conditions with showers or thunderstorms in some places across England and Wales. The north may experience cooler temperatures with possible heavy rain, especially in parts of Scotland.
Following a dry July with minimal rainfall in some English regions, half of England and all of Wales were declared to be in drought this week. Seven areas in England, including the Thames Valley, East Anglia, and London, faced drought conditions, marking the third drought in the UK in the last five years.
Helen Wakeham, Director of Water at the Environment Agency, highlighted the severity of the situation, stating that the hot and dry weather has led to a faster depletion of water resources than nature can replenish. The consecutive summer drought poses significant and long-lasting impacts on the environment, wildlife, and the economy.
