Heavy rain is forecast for parts of the UK this week, with a risk of surface water flooding as intense showers fall on dry, hard ground. Despite this, forecasters state the rainfall will not reverse the widespread drought conditions currently affecting the country.
The Met Office indicates that the summer's fifth heatwave will be followed by wetter and cooler weather, aligning more closely with typical seasonal conditions. Deputy chief forecaster Mike Silverstone told PA Media that showers are anticipated in the north, especially the north-west, on Tuesday, with rain moving into the south-west by the evening. This rain is then likely to spread east across the south.
Thursday is expected to bring heavy showers across much of the UK, though some areas may miss them entirely. Silverstone warned that the intensity of some showers could lead to surface water flooding.
While the rain may offer some relief to parched land and firefighters tackling wildfires, water shortages are expected to continue. South East Water warned customers in Kent on Tuesday that storage tank levels remain "critically low", despite restoring supplies to 7,400 homes. Approximately 400 homes still had no water.
Wessex Water has imposed a hosepipe ban covering 1.4 million customers in Bath, Somerset, Dorset, and Wiltshire, marking its first ban in 50 years. Environment Agency data from Friday showed five key reservoirs in England are "exceptionally low", with low supplies likely to persist into the autumn.