ON THE HORIZON
UK weather: Exact date Britain to bask in 30C heat as Met Office maps turn orange just days after flood warnings
See below for where the hottest temperatures will be
THE Met Office has revealed the exact date summer warmth will return in the UK.
Weather maps are turning orange with temperatures hitting 30C in parts of the country at the end of the working week, just days after flood warnings.
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The Met Office said on X, formerly Twitter: “High pressure in the East draws up warmer air form the continent over the next few days.
“Temperatures will peak at around 30 Celsius in parts of the southeast by Friday.
“A frontal system pushes the warm air away through Sunday where temperatures will fall towards the low 20s.”
Yesterday, three warnings were issued as Brits were drenched by thundery downpours in a bad omen - as per St Swithin's Day folklore.
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But before the mini-heatwave arrives in the South East of England at the end of the week, the country faces a weather warning in south-east Scotland and north-east England on Tuesday evening.
The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for rain in that area, with some places receiving 15-20mm in as little as an hour and 30-40mm over several hours.
Met Office spokesperson Nicola Maxey said that could affect driving conditions, along with there being a risk of thunder and lightning.
Elsewhere in England and Wales, there is an improving picture over the coming days, and more sunshine for many.
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By Friday, temperatures in London and the South East could reach 30C before milder conditions return on Sunday.
Ms Maxey said night-time temperatures could stay in the low 20s for parts of south-east England - officially classified as "tropical nights" if they do not drop below 20C - with there being health implications for the elderly or infirm.
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She said there was still uncertainty over how soon the milder conditions would come in, with the possibility that the South East could retain its heat a little longer than elsewhere.
Meanwhile, parts of the country have already well-exceeded July's average rainfall figures despite only being halfway through the month.
The Met Office spokesperson said England had 97% of July's average rainfall between July 1 and 15, Wales had 65%, Scotland 49% and Northern Ireland 47%.
London has had 154% of its July average already and Dorset 120%.
Edinburgh has only had 40% and Dundee 33%.
Ms Maxey said: "There are quite big regional differences but overall it's looking like a wet month so far.
"There is a caveat that, with a dry couple of weeks, by the end of the month things could even themselves out."
She said that two or three heavy downpours often caused much of a location's July rainfall totals, rather than a prolonged period of wet weather.
ST SWITHIN'S DAY
St Swithin's Day on Monday - traditionally said to predict the next 40 days of weather - was another wet one for much of England and Wales.
But the Met Office said conditions next week would be "changeable" rather than just rainy, with temperatures close to average.
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According to traditional folklore, the weather experienced on St Swithin's Day (July 15) will continue for the next 40 days - meaning parts of the country could be in for a wet rest of the summer if superstition holds true.
The proverb of St Swithin says: "St Swithin's Day if thou dost rain, for forty days it will remain, St Swithin's Day if thou be fair, for forty days will rain na mair."
UK 5 day weather forecast
TODAY:
Rain across parts of England and Wales clearing east during the morning. Sunny spells and scattered showers follow for many, these mostly light in the west, but heavy in the north and east. Breezier in the south and east.
TONIGHT:
Showers easing with clear spells developing for many, allowing some mist and fog patches to form in places. Cooler than recent nights with temperatures dropping into single figures for some.
WEDNESDAY:
Any remaining showers across northeast Scotland soon fading with most places seeing a fine and dry day with decent amounts of sunshine. Skies clouding over from the west later.
THURSDAY TO SATURDAY:
Outbreaks of showery rain moving east on Thursday. Remaining changeable Friday and Saturday with showers or longer spells of rain. Temperatures near normal but becoming very warm in the southeast.
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