UK’s record-breaking heatwave to end with torrential rain forecast

Environment
31 May 2026 • 6:49 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

UK’s record-breaking heatwave to end with torrential rain forecast

  • The UK's record-breaking May heatwave is set to conclude with two days of torrential rain across the country.
  • Met Office maps show a blanket of heavy rain, with some areas potentially receiving up to 8mm of water per hour.
  • The downpours will sweep in from the west after 11pm on Sunday, moving eastward and easing by Tuesday, with Scotland facing particularly heavy rain of up to 16mm per hour on Tuesday morning.
  • Temperatures are expected to drop significantly to the late teens and early 20s, returning to average for this time of year, following recent highs of 35.1C.
  • Further unsettled conditions, including spells of rain, showers, thunderstorms, and a chance of hail, are forecast for the remainder of the week.

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