The change follows a spell of unusually high temperatures, with parts of the UK exceeding 37C on Thursday. According to the Met Office outlook for Sunday to Tuesday, fresher conditions are expected to reach the South East by Sunday, while rain bands begin pushing into the north-west.
The shift marks a notable break from the recent heat. Before 2026, the UK had recorded temperatures of 37C or higher on only six occasions, while that threshold has already been reached three times this year. Forecast maps for Monday show rain initially concentrated across western and northern parts of the country before becoming more widespread later in the day. Much of southern England, including London and large parts of the South East, is forecast to remain dry.
Rain Bands Expected across Scotland, Northern England and Wales
By Monday evening, rain is forecast across a broad stretch of the UK, with some of the heaviest bursts shown over Scotland, northern England and Wales. According to Met Office forecast maps, by 10pm a wide band of rain is expected to extend from the Western Isles and Highlands through Scotland and into northern England. Areas including Argyll and Bute, Aberdeenshire, Perth and Kinross, Angus, Dundee, Stirling, Glasgow, Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway are among those forecast to see rain.
Further south, Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cheshire, Northumberland, County Durham and Yorkshire are also included in the affected areas. Parts of the West Midlands and East Midlands are expected to see wet weather as the system develops.
Wales is also forecast to experience rain, particularly across north Wales, mid Wales and south-west Wales. The far South West of England appears considerably drier in the available forecast maps, although some rain is shown close to parts of south Wales.
The Met Office outlook states that conditions will turn “breezier in the northwest as various rain bands push in, perhaps heavy”. At the same time, sunny spells and generally dry conditions are expected elsewhere into the start of the week.
Northern Ireland Faces Rain after a Dry Start to Monday
Northern Ireland is also expected to be affected by the changing weather pattern. According to the Met Office, Monday is forecast to begin dry before rain spreads eastwards across the country, including Belfast.
The wider forecast indicates that the rain will form part of several bands moving through northern and western parts of the UK. Some of these could produce heavy bursts, particularly in areas already identified across Scotland, northern England and Wales.
Southern England is expected to avoid much of the wet weather. London and large parts of the South East remain outside the main rain bands shown on the forecast maps, while cooler conditions are expected to have reached the region by Sunday.
The contrast between the wetter north and west and the drier south comes after days of intense heat. With fresher air moving across the country and rain reaching many northern and western areas, Monday’s forecast represents a clear change from the conditions experienced earlier in the week.
