After last week’s exceptional heat, the first full week of June brings a marked change in conditions across the UK.
The prolonged warmth, which saw temperatures exceed 30°C on multiple days, has now given way to a more typical early summer pattern driven by Atlantic weather systems.
Low pressure will be the dominant feature through the week, tracking eastwards on a relatively southerly jet stream. This will bring a mix of rain, showers, gusty winds and cooler temperatures, replacing the settled and hot conditions seen recently.
Frequent rain and heavy showers
Rain will be a key theme through the week ahead, arriving as both longer spells of persistent rain and frequent heavy showers. Many of these showers are likely to be lively, with hail and thunder possible at times, particularly during the middle part of the week.
By the end of the working week, rainfall totals will have built up significantly. Many areas are expected to see 20 to 50 mm of rain between Monday and Friday, with some western and upland areas exceeding 100 mm, particularly across parts of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and western England.
While the north and west will see the highest totals, even eastern areas will experience spells of wet weather. This rainfall will be welcome following a particularly dry spring for many parts of the UK.
Midweek: unsettled with strong winds
Tuesday will begin with rain clearing eastwards, followed by widespread heavy and thundery showers moving in from the south-west. These showers will spread across much of the UK, accompanied by gusty winds.
A brief lull is possible overnight into Wednesday, but this will be short-lived. A more organised band of rain will push in from the west early on Wednesday, affecting Northern Ireland, Wales and south-west England before sweeping east across the rest of the country.
This week is very different to last, with low pressure dominating the bigger picture 🌀
— Met Office (@metoffice) June 2, 2026
This means often changeable weather ahead, with rain and showers, and it’ll turn unseasonably windy towards the end of the week too 💨 pic.twitter.com/tD30gRNnqn
Behind this band, further showers will develop, and winds will increase once again. Temperatures will be close to average, reaching around 20°C in the south-east but only mid-teens further north and west.
Late week: cooler, breezier and showery
Thursday is expected to be one of the more unsettled days of the week, with a brisk westerly wind and frequent showers. Some of these may merge into longer spells of rain, with further chances of hail and thunder.
Conditions will feel cooler, especially in the south and west where winds may become unseasonably strong, with the possibility of gales in exposed coastal areas.
By Friday, showers will continue, though they may become less intense and more scattered through the afternoon. There will be some brighter spells developing, but temperatures will dip slightly below average in many areas, making it feel cool for early June.
Towards the weekend: further rain likely
A brief ridge of high pressure may bring a short-lived improvement late on Friday, with fewer showers and some clearer weather. However, this will be temporary, as further areas of low pressure move in from the Atlantic.
READ MORE: May 2026 weather stats: A breakdown by county
Another spell of rain is likely to reach western areas at the start of the weekend, before pushing eastwards and being followed by further showers. While there is some uncertainty in the exact timing and track of these systems, the overall pattern of changeable weather is expected to continue.
Signs of improvement into next week
Looking further ahead, there are tentative signals that conditions may gradually become more settled. The jet stream is expected to shift slightly northwards, allowing higher pressure to build at times, particularly across southern areas.
This could bring a spell of drier and perhaps warmer weather, although confidence remains lower at this range. Northern and western areas are still likely to see more frequent rainfall associated with Atlantic systems.
Keep up to date with weather warnings, and you can find the latest forecast on our website, on YouTube, by following us on X and Facebook, as well as on our mobile app which is available for iPhone from the App store and for Android from the Google Play store.
