After a notably dry July for many parts of the UK, this weekend will bring a change in the weather pattern.
Most places are expected to see at least some rain between Saturday and Sunday, although for many the totals are unlikely to be significant enough to make much difference to ongoing dry conditions.
While fresher and more changeable weather gradually arrives from the northwest, southern and southeastern parts of the UK will continue to enjoy very warm, and locally hot, conditions for a time.
Friday starts largely dry and very warm
Friday will begin with some cloud and patchy drizzle across parts of Scotland, but this should clear during the day, leaving a largely dry picture for most areas. The best of the sunshine is expected across central and southern parts of the UK, where long sunny spells will help temperatures climb well above average.
Temperatures are expected to reach the mid to high 20s Celsius quite widely across southern and central areas, with 30°C not out of the question in a few spots. Some locations could continue to exceed their local heatwave thresholds.
Further north, conditions will be fresher with more cloud developing, while a band of rain gradually edges in from the northwest later in the day.
A change is on the way, with rain moving in from the northwest 🌧️
— Met Office (@metoffice) July 24, 2026
Some areas will see welcome rainfall, but the southeast is likely to remain much drier as systems weaken further south and east
It'll also be breezy, and at times windy, as the pressure gradient tightens 🍃 pic.twitter.com/HFtajO54Td
Saturday brings a north-south split
A frontal system moving south-eastwards through Friday night and into Saturday will introduce a more changeable spell of weather. As the system arrives, conditions will become cloudier and breezier, particularly across northern parts of the UK.
Saturday morning is likely to be cloudy and wet across much of Scotland and Northern Ireland, with rain gradually spreading into northern England and Wales. Later in the day, some central parts of England and Wales can also expect rain at times.
However, a different story unfolds further south. Southern England is expected to remain largely dry with plenty of sunshine, allowing temperatures to rise once again. The focus of the highest temperatures will shift eastwards, giving parts of southeast England the best chance of seeing highs in the upper 20s or even low 30s Celsius.
Across western areas temperatures will be a little lower than in recent days, though still very warm wherever sunshine breaks through. Meanwhile, northern areas will experience fresher, cloudier and more unsettled conditions, with outbreaks of rain and brisk winds at times.
Sunday turns fresher with showers
The weather front continues its journey south-eastwards through Saturday night and into Sunday, meaning most parts of the UK are likely to see some rain. For many areas, however, much of the rainfall will occur overnight rather than during the daytime. While some heavier bursts are possible, widespread large rainfall totals are not anticipated.
Sunday morning is expected to begin cloudy and damp across much of England and Wales, with outbreaks of rain gradually clearing away south-eastwards through the day. Behind the rain, a mixture of sunshine and showers will develop. Although there will be plenty of dry weather, some showers could be heavy, particularly across eastern England and northern and eastern Scotland, where isolated thunderstorms are also possible.
READ MORE: Will the heat return?
Temperatures will be lower than those experienced on Friday and Saturday, especially across southern parts of the UK. Highs are expected to reach the mid-20s at best in the south, while northern areas generally see temperatures in the mid-to-high teens or low 20s. Many people may find these fresher conditions more comfortable than the recent heat.
Looking ahead to next week
By Sunday night and Monday, a ridge of high pressure is expected to build from the southwest, helping showers ease and bringing a quieter spell of weather. It may feel rather fresh overnight in places.
Looking further ahead, northern and northwestern parts of the UK are likely to see further spells of rain, while southern areas have a greater chance of staying dry. With higher pressure remaining influential in the south, temperatures are expected to rise once again, with a reasonable chance of seeing values return to the mid-to-high 20s and perhaps locally reaching the low 30s later next week.
You can also keep up to date with weather warnings, and find the latest weather 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.
