The short-lived hot period in the south and east is being replaced by a westerly airflow for the UK, bringing showers and some longer spells of rain for some in the coming days and a return to nearer-average temperatures for the time of year.

Monday provisionally saw the highest temperature of the year so far, with 34.8°C reached in Cambridge. This is the highest temperature recorded in the UK since 13 August 2022. 

Very warm conditions with sunshine are likely to cling on in the far east and southeast of England on Tuesday, where 27°C to 29°C is on the cards, this following another warm night in these areas. Elsewhere temperatures will be on a downward trend, as a band of rain moves from the Atlantic, in what marks a return to more of a changeable pattern for the UK’s weather.

Wednesday will see some early lingering rain in the southeast but then sunny spells across many parts. There is a signal for some heavier rain to reach the northwest of the UK by evening, but this becomes more widespread on Thursday, with some relatively high rainfall totals possible for some western and northwestern high ground. Southern and eastern England will remain largely dry and warm, but it could be a particularly windy day for August quite widely.

Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Chris Bulmer said: “The UK’s weather is transitioning to a less warm, rather more unsettled period in the coming days, though those in the southeast will keep the drier warmer theme on Tuesday, and at times beyond this.

“While a mixture of conditions is likely through the week, with various bands of rain moving from west to east at times, there’s a signal for some more persistent and heavy rain on Thursday  for those in northern and western parts of the UK.

“While there are still some details to work out, some western hills could see in excess of 50 mm of rain through the period, with 15-30 mm of rain likely quite widely in the north and west.  Those further south and east are likely to see lower rainfall totals in general through the week. Winds will also be a notable feature for the time of year, particularly in parts of the west.”

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