UK weather forecast: Downpours set to lash Britain before scorching Bank Holiday sun hits

Parts of the UK are set to be blighted with heavy rain this week before scorching temperatures arrive just in time for the Bank Holiday.

“Widespread” showers have been warned by the Met Office for Wales and northern England this morning.

A band of “heavy rain” is then set to pour down in Northern Ireland and Scotland later this afternoon, with strong winds warned.

The Met Office have predicted the dreary weather will last through Thursday until Friday, although the South East could remain dry.

Average rainfall across England so far this month is 68.6mm.

Scotland (141.8mm), Wales (120.2mm) and Northern Ireland (103.1mm) have seen considerably more, but only Wales and Scotland have seen above average rainfall so far this month.

Rainfall for August, which is typically the wettest of the three summer months, is some way off the record-breaking levels of 1912 when 167.6mm fell.

As it approaches the Bank Holiday – the last of the year – Brits will be enjoying warm sun, though.

And in London, temperatures are set to climb up to 27C on Sunday and Monday, as thousands take to the street to enjoy Notting Hill Carnival.

The bright weather will be in stark contrast to last year’s event, which saw extremely wet weather.

Forecasters at the Met Office said: “Sunday is expected to be dry, bright and warm across most of the UK.

“Temperatures will be well above average across the southeast, but remain closer to normal in the northwest. The odd shower is possible but most people won't see one.

“On Monday (the Bank Holiday except in Scotland), warm dry weather is expected again in the south and east, but it may be wetter and windier in the far northwest.

“In the following days, dry warm weather may well continue in the south and east, though there is a risk of some thundery showers moving up from the near continent.

“Northern parts of the UK may see further spells of wet and windy weather, though some drier warmer spells are likely here too.”

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