The UK's brief but blistering heatwave is finally coming to an end, with the Met Office warning of a dramatic shift to cooler temperatures and widespread rain this weekend. Temperatures are set to plummet by as much as 7C on Sunday, July 21st, leaving some areas with overnight lows of just 7C.
Met Office data shows that the change will begin to take hold from Saturday, July 20th, with increasing cloud cover and isolated showers. However, Sunday is expected to bring more persistent and heavier rain across much of the UK, potentially leading to surface water flooding and challenging driving conditions.
Regionally, England is bracing for the biggest temperature drop, particularly in central and eastern areas where the mercury could fall sharply from recent highs. Northern England and Scotland are also forecast to experience heavy rain, with localised strong winds of up to 30 mph possible in exposed coastal areas. Wales and Northern Ireland can expect cooler, wetter conditions, though perhaps not as extreme a temperature plunge as parts of England.
The Met Office is advising the public to prepare for the change, recommending suitable clothing and caution for those travelling. Drivers are being urged to be aware of reduced visibility and potential aquaplaning risks on wet roads.
Looking ahead, the outlook for next week suggests a continuation of unsettled conditions, with a mix of sunshine and showers. While temperatures may not rebound immediately, they should settle into a more typical pattern for late July, moving away from the recent extremes.