850-Mile Rain Bomb to Drench UK – Heatwave Over!

New weather maps suggest that the UK could be hit by an 850-mile band of rain, putting an abrupt end to the sunny, clear skies.

This week, Brits have enjoyed warmer weather with only brief interruptions from isolated thunderstorms. According to the Met Office, the country is experiencing the driest spring in over a century, with just 80.6mm of rainfall so far — nearly 20mm less than the record low of 100.7mm set in 1852.

With more than two weeks of May remaining, the Met Office says it’s too early to determine how the season (March, April, and May) will rank overall. However, they note that the high pressure bringing dry and warm conditions is likely to persist through the weekend.

Despite the ongoing dry spell, the Met Office warns that more variable weather could arrive towards the end of next week. This aligns with WXCharts forecasts, which show a potential rainstorm accompanied by cooler temperatures.

The maps indicate that heavy rain could sweep across the UK on Friday, May 23, extending from Land’s End in Cornwall to the North Sea. Forecasters predict rainfall rates of up to 5mm per hour in some regions, with the Scottish Highlands expected to bear the brunt of the downpour.

The heaviest rain is expected to hit at midnight on May 23, initially targeting western regions such as west Wales, Belfast, and Scotland. Northern Ireland could see steady showers of 2mm per hour, while Scotland may face up to 5mm per hour.

As the rain moves eastward, major English cities like Plymouth, Cardiff, Birmingham, and Newcastle are forecast to receive 1mm per hour by 6am.

Met Office spokesman Oli Claydon stated: "Towards the end of next week, we could see more changeable conditions moving in from the west, bringing cooler temperatures and potentially more significant rainfall."

Meanwhile, temperatures are expected to drop, with London forecasted to hit a chilly 9°C by noon on May 23, Birmingham at 8°C, and Manchester at 10°C.

For the period of May 14-28, the Met Office expects mostly dry weather with occasional light showers in the southeast. However, conditions could shift around the bank holiday weekend, with the potential for more widespread rain.