Weather and climate change

Headline:

Heavy rain, perhaps thunderstorms, moving north.

Today:

Cloudy and rather humid at first with bands of rain spreading steadily northwards, heaviest in the southwest and across Scotland. Brighter by the afternoon but the risk of heavy, thundery showers remains. Fresher for many, feeling warm in the sunshine.

Tonight:

Rain continues to affect Scotland and Northern Ireland overnight, whilst further heavy showers spread into the south, Drier with clear spells across Wales and central England. Mild but less muggy.

Monday:

Another cloudy, damp start, particularly for the southeast and across Northern Ireland. Brighter elsewhere, though showers soon return; heavy, thundery, and with a risk of hail by the afternoon.

Outlook for Tuesday to Thursday:

Sunny spells and scattered showers remain the theme this week as low pressure continues to bring unsettled conditions. Less showers, more sunshine by Thursday, with temperatures around the seasonal average.

Updated: 05:00 (UTC+1) on Sun 20 Jul 2025

Following an unsettled week, drier conditions are expected to extend to most parts for a time during Thursday or Friday. By next weekend, a weather regime dominated by westerly winds is likely to become established. While showers or longer spells of rain will remain possible for all parts of the country, the focus of wet weather is expected to be across the northwest. More prolonged drier and sunnier interludes can be expected across southern and eastern areas. Likely breezy at times, especially in the north. Temperatures are most likely to be near to average for the time of year with only a small chance of hot spells during late July and the start of August.

Updated: 15:00 (UTC+1) on Sat 19 Jul 2025

A changeable pattern will likely continue through into the start of August with spells of rain or showers mixed in with some drier, brighter days. However there are signs that high pressure may become more dominant, which could bring more in the way dry, settled weather more widely as we progress further into the month. Temperatures will likely continue to be near or only a little above average overall. However, there is a possibility of some very warm or hot spells, especially in the south and east.

Updated: 16:00 (UTC+1) on Sat 19 Jul 2025