UK set for more rain this week as warmth makes a comeback

Unsettled weather will continue for many this week following heavy rain that caused flooding, travel disruption and power cuts in several places.

The wettest weather will be focused across the north-west of the UK, with more than three inches possible in places over high ground.

Meanwhile, fewer downpours will reach the drought-stricken south, where warmer air pushed up from southern Europe will cause temperatures to rise.

By Thursday, parts of England and Wales could reach as high as 26C (79F).

A changeable weather theme will dominate for the remainder of this week.

With low pressure often to the north and higher pressure to the south, the wettest weather will be focused across the north-west.

In parts of western Scotland, north-west England and Northern Ireland, some places over high ground could see over 80mm (3 inches) of rain over the next five days.

Further south across England and Wales, the rain will be much more sporadic with just 5 to 10mm falling all week.

The spell of wet weather is the result of several areas of low pressure barreling in from the Atlantic over the past two weeks.

It marks a dramatic change to a summer plagued by frequent heatwaves and prolonged dry spells.

The weekend brought particularly heavy rainfall to parts of north Wales, northern England and the Midlands where travel disruption was widespread and lightning and large hail were also reported.

Inverbervie in north-east Scotland saw two-thirds of its expected August rainfall during Saturday and Sunday alone.

Over the past week, Sheffield has recorded 81mm (3 inches) of rain - more than the area received during the whole of the rest of summer.

Whilst wetter weather will persist for many northern parts this week, warmer air pushed up from southern Europe will also reappear further south.

Thursday is likely to be the warmest day of the week, with temperatures in Scotland and Northern Ireland potentially reaching 20C.

In England and Wales, 26C is possible towards the south-east.

The heat is expected to be fairly short-lived and temperatures are unlikely to reach heatwave thresholds again during the first half of September.

Further ahead, some computer models are hinting at higher pressure building into the second half of September. This may push warmer air towards southern areas once again, whilst cooler and wetter weather is more likely in the north.

Keep an eye on the monthly outlook for our latest thoughts on the long-range forecast.