Weather and climate change

Headline:

Showers for many, some heavy but also some warm sunshine.

Today:

Many areas starting dry, odd mist patches clearing. Showers developing across various areas by afternoon, some heavy, particularly across some northern and central parts of the UK, with thunder and hail in few locations. Feeling warm in sunnier interludes.

Tonight:

Daytime showers will fade after dusk, leaving much dry weather after midnight but still rather cloudy skies, keeping temperatures up. Northwestern areas see continued risk of heavy rainfall.

Thursday:

Fairly cloudy across most areas although early sunshine in the east. Bands of rain and showers crossing most areas, heavy especially in the west. Breezier. Cooler in the west.

Outlook for Friday to Sunday:

Remaining unsettled with further showers and longer spells of rain. Some of these will be heavy and thundery, especially across the north. Breezy at times and still rather cool.

Updated: 05:00 (UTC+1) on Wed 4 Aug 2021

Sunny spells and showers for many areas at the start of this period, with most frequent showers probably in the north and west. By the middle of next week there is an increasing likelihood of thicker cloud bringing rain to northwestern areas, together with stronger winds. These more unsettled conditions are likely to spread slowly southeastwards through the latter part of next week. Beyond this it is likely to remain changeable; confidence is low in terms of detail, but most places will likely see showers or longer spells of rain, interspersed with some drier, more settled periods. Some strong winds are possible at times, especially in the northwest. Temperatures are most likely to be around average, perhaps warm in the east and southeast.

Updated: 15:00 (UTC+1) on Wed 4 Aug 2021

Although confidence is very low through this period, a continuation of changeable conditions is most likely. Some more settled weather may develop, particularly towards the north and northeast of the UK. Temperatures are likely to be above average, with the potential for hotter weather later in the month with rainfall most likely below average.

Updated: 16:00 (UTC+1) on Tue 3 Aug 2021