UK weather forecast: Storms and heavy rain in the northern washout but highs of 22C will be reached in the south

The UK is set for heavy rain, thunder and strong winds today, particularly in the north of the country, while England is expected to experience a north-south gradient as temperatures soar to 22C

Brits face a washout today with thunderstorms and heavy rain in the north, but it should be hot in the south as mercury rises to 22C.

The UK is in the midst of a volatile weather spell as a front moves in from the Atlantic bringing stormy conditions.

There was still plenty of sunshine in parts of the UK on Wednesday, with Durham receiving eight hours and the warmest place being Ulrich in Lincolnshire at 20C.

Today is expected to be warmer as the mercury temperature rises to 22C, but there will be a north-west gradient as temperatures in northern Scotland may not get higher than 11C.

Much of the country will see plenty of rain, including thunder, as Scotland is impacted by a low pressure bringing colder polar air.

At the same time, the south receives hotter air from a high pressure over the continent.

“Windy with rain or showers over the next 24 hours but some lighter, drier weather heading southeast, particularly through Thursday morning,” Met forecaster Clare Nasir said.

“Temperatures are holding up in the south but around 4C to 7C in the Cairngorms as well as Aberdeenshire but you’re off to a good start here although it will be quite windy.

‘Now for all of the more northerly parts of Scotland and the Western Isles[ …] You’ll see an onslaught of showers throughout the morning.

“This rain will extend as far as Perth for a period and will then subside as rain continues in Northern Ireland, Northern England and North Wales.”

It could be stormy in Scotland, while there will also be rain across northern and central England.

“Showers will converge across Scotland during the day so there is a risk of thunderstorms in the north, strong winds here but slightly brighter skies later for the central belt and far north England and far south Scotland.” said Mrs. Nasir.

“While the rain keeps on somewhere in South Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Derbyshire, Conwy, Flint, Gwynedd.

“Further south you’ll see more clouds but brighter skies towards the southeast and that’s where the highest temperatures will be around 22C.”

Then overnight to Friday there will be “heavy rain and strong winds” in Scotland and this wind will remain through central and northern areas of Scotland throughout the day.

Friday is forecast for the rest of the country to be sunnier, but temperatures will be in the mid to high teens across much of the country.

The prospects for Saturday are a sunny day after a cold start.

“Cold Saturday morning, clear skies, even a touch of ground frost, but it’s going to be a beautiful day, a beautiful day with glorious sunshine,” Ms Nasir added.

UK forecast for the next 5 days

Restless and windy today, sunnier for many on Friday.

Today:

Rain slowly moving south-east across England and Wales, although remaining light and fairly warm in parts of South and East Anglia; airy. Sunny stretches further north but cooler and windy, with possible coastal storms; heavy showers over northern Scotland.

This evening:

Patchy rain and low cloud will move across southern areas of Wales and England, later clearing. Scattered showers of rain, perhaps heavy, will continue across northern Scotland. Many other areas are clearer and cooler.

Friday:

Many southern and central areas will have plenty of sunshine and lighter winds, meaning it should feel reasonably warm by mid-afternoon. Northern Scotland will see sunny intervals and scattered heavy showers.

Outlook for Saturday to Monday:

Cooler and rainy, initially mainly in the east, more widespread from Sunday. Warmer, sunnier in the west after cold mornings. Pretty cold in the fresh East Coast breeze.