UK weather forecast: here’s where thunderstorms and heavy rain will bring an end to the hot weather

The weather of late across most parts of the UK has been hot and sunny, with bright skies and warmer temperatures.

However, some areas could see the good weather come to an end this week, with thunderstorms and heavy rain set to hit some parts of the UK.

But where will thunderstorms hit this week?

Here’s what you need to know.

Where in the UK will thunderstorms hit this week?

A Met Office yellow weather warning for thunderstorms was in place on Tuesday (20 July), with the East Midlands, East of England, London & South East England and the West Midlands expected to see torrential rain, frequent lightning, large hail and gusty winds.

The Met Office forecast for Wednesday (21 July) said: “Another dry and sunny day for many areas, once low cloud clears back to the coast in the northeast. The high temperatures may trigger isolated heavy showers in the afternoon.”

The Met Office then forecasts dry and sunny conditions for most on Thursday (22 July) and Friday (23 July), with it remaining hot in the west.

However, cloudier conditions and heavy showers will spread across southern UK on Friday evening and Saturday (24 July). It is forecast to be “fine in the north”.

Sunday (25 July) remains unsettled across England and Wales, “with scattered and slow-moving showers and thunderstorms,” according to the Met Office.

“While temperatures dip back to near normal for most it will remain warm across Scotland and Northern Ireland, with the best of any dry or sunny spells here in the west,” the Met Office adds.

What will the weather be like next week?

Looking further ahead into next week, Monday (26 July) and Tuesday (27 July) will see further scattered and heavy showers - which could possibly be thundery - especially in the east of the UK, with drier and brighter conditions in the west.

From the middle of next week until early August, changeable conditions with a mix of sunny spells and heavy showers are likely, perhaps with some more prolonged rain at times.

The Met Office said that currently, “there is no preference towards any particular area seeing one regime dominate”.

Temperatures will also be around average.