After a predominantly dry and very warm July so far, the UK’s weather pattern is beginning to shift.
While many areas will retain settled conditions through the end of this week, there are increasing signs of more changeable weather developing over the weekend and into next week. Rainfall is expected to become more widespread than it has been recently, while temperatures are set to ease back closer to average for many areas.
Warm and mostly settled through Friday
High pressure remains close to the UK through Thursday and Friday, helping many areas stay dry with sunny spells. The best sunshine is expected across southern and southwestern parts of the country, while temperatures will continue to feel very warm, particularly across central and southern England where highs are likely to reach the mid to high 20s Celsius.
Further north, conditions will be somewhat cooler, with temperatures generally in the high teens to low 20s. There is also the chance of some patchy rain and drizzle affecting parts of northwestern Scotland as Atlantic weather systems begin to edge closer.
By Friday, Scotland is likely to turn cloudier, with outbreaks of rain becoming more frequent, especially across western areas. However, much of England, Wales and Northern Ireland should remain largely dry and bright, with some southeastern locations potentially seeing temperatures climb once again.
A bit of a north south split over the UK this morning
— Met Office (@metoffice) July 23, 2026
Cloud breaking up in the south leaving bright and sunny spells ⛅
More in the way of patchy cloud for northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland pic.twitter.com/cw4qWuCzHd
Weekend brings a change
The most notable change arrives during the weekend as a frontal system gradually pushes south-eastwards across the UK. Northern and western parts are expected to see the first impact, with cloudier skies, outbreaks of rain and a noticeable drop in temperature.
Southern areas may hold onto the warmer conditions a little longer, with temperatures in the southeast potentially reaching the high 20s on Saturday. However, rain is expected to spread south and east through Saturday night and into Sunday.
Sunday currently appears the most unsettled day of the weekend. While there remains uncertainty over the exact position and intensity of the rainfall, many areas are likely to experience showers or longer spells of rain, with the possibility of some heavier outbreaks developing in places. Forecast details will become clearer over the coming days.
Will the rain make a difference?
Despite the increasing chance of rain, rainfall totals are not expected to be particularly significant. Most areas are likely to see some rain during the next 10 days, but amounts may be insufficient to substantially improve the dry conditions that have developed through much of July.
For farmers, gardeners and those monitoring water resources, any rainfall will be welcome, but the current signal suggests that this spell is unlikely to bring the prolonged or widespread soaking rain needed to completely reverse recent dryness.
READ MORE: Will the heat return?
Mixed conditions next week
Following the more changeable weekend, a ridge of high pressure may briefly build across the UK on Monday. This could bring a temporary improvement, with quieter conditions and fewer showers for many places.
However, the overall pattern remains less settled than it has been recently. Through Tuesday and the middle of next week, further weather systems may move in from the Atlantic, bringing occasional rain, particularly to western and northwestern areas. At the same time, higher pressure developing over mainland Europe could begin to influence southern parts of the UK.
Looking towards the end of next week and the start of August, there is potential for lower pressure to track in from the west. This could result in another spell of wetter and more unsettled weather, although confidence in the details remains lower at this range.
Temperatures trending lower
The prolonged heat experienced in some parts of the UK is likely to ease over the coming days. Cooler air arriving behind the weekend weather front should bring temperatures back closer to seasonal norms, particularly across northern areas.
Monday is expected to feel noticeably fresher for many, with temperatures near or slightly below average in some locations. Southern parts could become somewhat warmer again during the middle of next week, but current indications suggest temperatures are unlikely to reach the levels seen earlier in July.
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