Parts of the country are set to be hit by thundery showers, but southern England is once again likely to miss out on most of the much-needed rain before a potential new heatwave.
Temperatures are are expected to be on the cooler side on Thursday, the Met Office said, after a spike at the start of the week. There will also be a marked North-South split in conditions.
Rain is forecast for northern England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland, but there will be little to speak of in other parts of England after an incredibly dry July.
While it will remain relatively dry across the country, Thursday temperatures are set to drop below the low 20s – the average for this time of year.
Outbreaks of rain in the North are set to sink on Thursday, but they will turn more showery, forecasters said.
Some of it may reach rain-starved parts of eastern England, though little is expected for central and southern England.
July was the driest month ever recorded in southern England – and meteorologists have said there may not be significant rainfall in the area for some time.
Where rain and thunder could hit the UK over the coming days:
“It’s looking pretty dry (for southern England),” said Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna.
“Later on Sunday we could just get a few showers coming down from the North West.
“But the rain’s weakening as it comes into the South East.”
Mr Petagna added: “Even for the second half of the month (August), it is suggested that rainfall totals are more likely to be below normal than above, with a potential for further spells of hot weather at times as well.
“So nothing significant on the horizon for the South East.”
The extreme weather of summer 2026 has included two record-breaking heatwaves in May and June that led to more than 2,800 excess deaths.
Two more heatwaves in July, the driest July in England and Wales since records began, have fuelled drought and wildfires.
Firefighters have tackled wildfires across the country, including in Dunwich, Suffolk, and the Cairngorms in recent weeks.
And temperatures could return to heatwave levels next week, according to forecasts.
London could see highs of 29C in the second half of next week, while the Met Office’s long-range forecast says some spells of hot weather and heatwaves are possible, especially in the south of England, towards the end of August.
Met Office’s UK five-day weather forecast
Thursday
Sunny spells and scattered showers through the morning. Showers tending to fade through the afternoon, though a few continuing across the northwest. Winds lighter than Wednesday. Feeling cooler than of late but pleasant in the sunnier moments.
Thursday evening
Showers continuing across the northwest of the UK, with longer spells of rain spreading eastwards across northern Scotland. Dry elsewhere, with lengthy clear skies. A rather chilly night to come.
Friday
A dry and sunny day for much and England and Wales. Cloudier skies across Scotland and Northern Ireland at times, with further rain across northwest Scotland. Warm in the sunshine.
Outlook for Saturday to Monday
Rain across northern Scotland through the weekend. Warm and sunny elsewhere. Turning hot in the south. Dry for most on Monday with temperatures on the very warm to hot side.
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