Weather mapped: Where temperatures will hit 29C this weekend – and where it will rain
Despite the rain forecast, the hot weather will continue this weekend and will rise above 29 degrees.
The highest temperatures are expected in London on Saturday, reaching 28C in Birmingham and 18C in Manchester.
The UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) has issued a yellow temperature health alert amid fears that hot weather could impact health and social care services and put vulnerable people at risk.
After three heatwaves and multiple cyclone bans, the UK is set to see “much-needed rain” this weekend.
Showers are expected to hit Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland on Saturday evening and spread across the United Kingdom on Sunday.
Scotland could see 20mm of rainfall, but forecasters predict it will be more scattered in the South and East, while most of England and Wales will see just a few millimetres.
Met Office chief forecaster Steve Willington said: “High pressure has been a key feature of the UK weather forecast over the last few weeks, bringing above-average temperatures and extremely dry conditions for many.
“However, we will start to see a modest change on Saturday when a weak weather front moves southwards across the UK, bringing much-needed rain, albeit light and mostly concentrated in the north and west. Behind the front, a torrential air mass will bring potentially heavy showers, some of which may be thunderstorms.”
The Met Office’s deputy head of forecasting, Greg Wolverson, said colder weather could be expected from Sunday, but temperatures would remain average for this time of year.
He explained that Atlantic-dominated weather fronts will move in from the West next week and bring some rain, but in the meantime there will be brighter weather, which will push temperatures into the mid-twenties in the July sunshine.
“Although there is a return to rain in the forecast, we have just come out of an extremely dry spell and rain is unlikely to be widespread or significant,” he said. “Many areas, particularly the south of England, are likely to continue to experience prevailing dry conditions for the foreseeable future.”
The rain comes as a tornado ban comes into force in parts of South East England and parts of West Wales. Met Office figures suggest central and south-east England has seen its longest period of continuous rainfall this century.
The organization’s meteorological stations in both regions measured an average of zero precipitation for 14 consecutive days from July 2 to July 15.
Households across the country are being advised to limit their water use due to possible water shortages, with some companies asking their customers to stop hose activity as much as possible, while other areas such as Thames Water and South East Water have a complete ban.
Met Office’s five-day weather forecast
Friday
Dry with plenty of sunlight in most of England and Wales. Parts of Northern Ireland and Scotland are cloudier and rainier in places, although brighter showers also develop from time to time. It’s a warm feeling for many, and a warm feeling towards the Southeast.
friday night
Clouds and rain are weakening in Scotland and Northern Ireland this evening, with more rain falling in Scotland overnight. Elsewhere it stays dry with clear spells.
Saturday
A band of rain moving south-east in Scotland, gradually turning into showers. Dry, sunny and very hot weather continues in the southern regions, while brighter, fresher conditions continue in Scotland.
Sunday to Tuesday
Sunday is fresher for everyone with sunny skies and showers. It will continue to be variable in the North at the beginning of next week, but will be potentially dry and very warm again in the South.
