The Met Office has identified 21 areas across England and Wales that will experience heavy rainfall on Tuesday, marking a dramatic shift from the recent record-breaking June heatwave. The wet weather is expected to bring a risk of thunder in northern regions, while the southeast will remain drier.
Forecast details
In its UK forecast for Monday night, the Met Office stated: "A heavy spell of rain will move into the northwest with brisk winds. Drier elsewhere, with clear spells and a fresh night for many." The service added that Tuesday will be cloudy in the north and west, with showery outbreaks of rain, noting: "Rain will be heavy at times with a risk of thunder in the north. Drier in the southeast."
Full list of areas expecting rainfall on Tuesday
- Cornwall
- Devon
- Somerset
- Staffordshire
- Lancashire
- Merseyside
- Cheshire
- South Yorkshire
- North Yorkshire
- Cumbria
- Northumberland
- Scottish Borders
- Dumfries and Galloway
- Perth and Kinross
- Angus
- Argyll and Bute
- Stirling
- Fife
- Aberdeenshire
- Moray
- Highland
Outlook for the rest of the week
The Met Office said conditions will turn warmer in the southeast from Wednesday to Friday, with dry and bright weather. Over the same period, the north and west is expected to be cloudier, with spells of rain at times and temperatures around average.
Context: Record-breaking June heatwave
The wet weather follows a heatwave that saw the UK break its June temperature record for three consecutive days, with 37.3°C recorded at Santon Downham in Suffolk on June 26. A number of other weather stations also exceeded the previous record of 35.6°C, which was reached on June 28, 1976, and June 29, 1957.
Met Office Chief Forecaster Andy Page said: "Friday marks the peak of the heatwave in terms of temperatures and the third consecutive day of record-breaking June heat. This exceptional heat has been unprecedented for June and is another marker on how climate change is shifting the dial on temperature extremes in the UK."
Last week also saw Wales set a new June daily maximum temperature record, with 35.9°C recorded at Bute Park, Cardiff, on June 25. Northern Ireland equalled its warmest June day on record with 30.8°C at Castlederg on June 25, matching the figure recorded on June 30, 1976.
