Britain is bracing for a change in weather as the scorching heatwave comes to an end, making way for heavy downpours predicted for Saturday. The Met Office has forecast intense rainfall, especially in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and parts of Northwest England, with conditions turning increasingly unsettled heading into the weekend. Friday is expected to be overcast across most regions.
Up to 20mm of rain is anticipated in areas of Northern Ireland and western Scotland on Saturday as a band of rain moves slowly eastward across the UK. However, the Southeast of England might avoid significant rainfall until Sunday. The Met Office warns of changing conditions over the weekend, with cloudy skies and outbreaks of rain spreading from the west to the east. The heaviest rain is expected in the northwest, while the southeast should remain predominantly dry. Temperatures will be near average in the northwest but above average in the southeast.
The conclusion of the blistering heatwave, where temperatures soared past 35C, is marked by this shift in weather. The highest temperature recorded on Wednesday was 31.8C in Whitechurch, Pembrokeshire, South Wales. Chief forecaster Chris Bulmer from the Met Office mentioned the breakdown of the hot weather spell, with fresher conditions moving in as a weak cold front establishes itself across the UK by the weekend. Showers and thunderstorms are also possible as temperatures return to seasonal norms.
Further rain and showers are expected on Sunday, particularly in northern and western regions, although some brighter spells may emerge in the east. The Met Office anticipates the unsettled weather pattern persisting into the following week, with temperatures gradually returning to seasonal averages after the record-breaking heatwave.
