One hundred areas across the UK are set for a sharp change in weather on Thursday, as the Met Office forecasts a fast-moving band of rain ahead of a predicted heatwave. Some places could see more than half an inch of rain in just a few hours.
The rain is expected to arrive early, first reaching Northern Ireland before moving east. By mid-afternoon, it will reach western parts of England and Wales, as well as Scotland, gathering strength as it spreads. The Lake District is likely to see the most rain, with up to 16mm expected around 5pm. The Met Office forecast from September 7 says the Atlantic front will bring cloud and rain, with stronger winds in the west and northwest. The heaviest rain is expected in western Scotland by night.
Cities such as Newcastle and Hull are preparing for evening downpours, while the southeast should stay dry until after dark. The Met Office says the rain will spread "erratically eastwards throughout the day," with the north expected to see the worst of it. The rain is expected to clear by early Friday, though wet ground and some disruption are likely. The Met Office has also said that while heavier rain is possible in the west and north, "widespread large rainfall totals are not expected," easing some earlier concerns.
The affected areas cover much of the UK. In England, these include Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Bristol, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Cheshire, Cornwall, County Durham, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Devon, Dorset, East Riding of Yorkshire, Gloucestershire, Greater Manchester, Hampshire, Herefordshire, Hertfordshire, Isle of Wight, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Merseyside, Norfolk, North Yorkshire, Northamptonshire, Northumberland, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Rutland, Shropshire, Somerset, South Yorkshire, Staffordshire, Tyne and Wear, Warwickshire, West Midlands, West Yorkshire, Wiltshire and Worcestershire. Scotland's coverage runs from Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire to the Shetland Islands and Western Isles. All counties in Wales and Northern Ireland are also included. The Met Office's morning update on September 9 says rain will begin as scattered showers, becoming more persistent over Northern Ireland and western Scotland by midday, then intensifying over northwest England and north Wales, including the Irish Sea coast, by evening.
Despite the rain, the Met Office expects a quick turnaround, with temperatures set to reach 27C for many across the UK next week. The shift from heavy rain to summer-like warmth shows how quickly British weather can change in early September.
Met Office
For anyone planning travel or outdoor events, the timing of the rain's arrival and departure will matter. Local authorities and transport services are preparing for possible delays and minor flooding, especially in areas with poor drainage. The full list of affected regions gives a guide for those who may need to change their plans.
Thursday's rainfall is expected to affect one hundred areas, and the Met Office's early warning gives people time to prepare. The front's impact will become clear as it moves through daily routines, despite sunshine expected soon.
