- Rainfall is forecast to return to the UK on Monday afternoon, offering respite after five consecutive summer heatwaves.
- Thursday marked the UK's hottest day of the year so far, with 40 locations across central and southern England recording temperatures of 36C or higher.
- More than 26 million people are currently affected by hosepipe bans following prolonged dry spells that led to drought declarations across over half the country.
- Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Steven Keates highlighted that the incoming rain is urgently needed to ease the impacts of the extended drought.
- Conditions are expected to turn fresher in the southeast by Sunday before rain bands move into the northwest on Monday.
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