Britain’s intense and record-breaking heatwave is set to give way to a prolonged spell of heavy rain lasting around 21 hours. According to the Met Office, 23 counties across the UK have been placed on alert as torrential downpours spread across large regions.
Starting from 1pm on Monday, June 1, areas including London, Kent, Cornwall, Greater Manchester, Yorkshire, and parts of Scotland are expected to receive up to 8mm of rainfall. This wet weather is predicted to continue persistently until 10am the following day in some locations.
This shift comes just days after the UK experienced its hottest May day ever, with temperatures peaking at 35.1°C at Kew Gardens, London. The Met Office now forecasts that the intense heat will gradually subside, replaced by cooler and more unsettled conditions as rain and showers move across the country.
READ MORE: I Tried Supermarket Jam Donuts — Here’s the Clear Winner
READ MORE: Coronation Street’s Tracy Shaw Shares Breast Cancer Update After First Day of Chemotherapy
Chief Forecaster Chris Bulmer explained that the spell of very hot weather is breaking down, with parts of the southeast still possibly reaching highs of 32°C on Thursday. However, fresher conditions are expected to move in from Friday through the weekend as a weak cold front settles across most of the UK.
“As the heat eases, the weather will become more changeable, with showers and thunderstorms possible,” Bulmer added. Temperatures are anticipated to return closer to the seasonal average during the weekend, accompanied by continued rainfall extending into the start of next week.
From Monday onward, rain and showers will continue to sweep across the UK, though brighter intervals are expected intermittently. The Met Office advises residents to prepare for this transition from record-breaking heat to wetter and cooler conditions.