The UK is facing a prolonged spell of unsettled weather, with rainfall forecast for most of the country throughout the week, according to the Met Office. The pattern follows an unusually dry period, now giving way to a return of cooler, wetter conditions across much of Britain.
Meteorologists have stated that rain is expected almost every day, with Becky Mitchell of the Met Office confirming that “most parts of the country will see rain most days.” Winds will also pick up, particularly in the north and northwest, marking a clear shift from the muggy and dry spell that preceded it.
Regional Contrasts in Rainfall and Temperatures
After more than 30 consecutive dry days in some areas, parts of the UK finally saw rain on Friday night. According to the Met Office, 5–10mm of rain fell across large regions, while 15–20mm was recorded in parts of northwest England and Scotland.
The unsettled pattern is expected to persist into the week, with showers becoming more frequent and intense, particularly across Northern Ireland and Scotland, where thunderstorms are also a possibility.
Sunday will bring a mix of sunny intervals and blustery showers, especially in the north. While central and northern regions will bear the brunt of the wet weather, southern England may experience brief drier spells, particularly at the beginning of the week.
Despite this, gusty conditions are expected across the board, and any dry periods are likely to be short-lived.
According to the forecast for Monday through Wednesday, the UK will remain “breezy during the coming days with spells of rain and showers at times, interspersed with some brighter intervals.”
Night-time temperatures will remain mild and frost-free, and daytime highs will generally range between 15°C and 18°C, with 22°C possible in southern England. In contrast, areas like Aberdeen are only expected to reach 14°C midweek.
Long-Range Outlook Shows Signs of North–South Split
Looking further ahead, from 29 May to 7 June, weather systems are expected to track from the west, bringing further rain to the UK. The Met Office notes a likely continuation of changeable weather, with the north and northwest expected to see the heaviest rain and strongest winds.
Meanwhile, southern areas may begin to experience longer, drier interludes, although occasional storms remain possible.
Temperatures overall are forecast to remain slightly above average, especially in southern regions. There is also a mention of very warm, potentially hot conditions developing later in the period, with an accompanying risk of thunderstorms.
