Met Office issues verdict on heavy rain for Saturday
The UK has been basking in its third heatwave of 2026.
Met Office: Temperatures set to cool as weekend approaches
The Met Office has issued its verdict on whether the UK can expect rain on Saturday amid the third heatwave of the year. According to the weather agency, light and localised rain could hit South-west and North-west England, and Wales.
However, most areas of the country will remain dry as a high-pressure system to the west persists throughout the weekend. The Met Office said: "This northerly breeze has already been bringing cloud into eastern areas from the North Sea, and that trend will continue through Saturday.
"Northern Scotland may see some thicker cloud with patchy drizzle at times, while a few isolated showers could develop elsewhere, particularly around northwest England, Wales and southwest England.
"Even so, any rainfall is expected to be light and localised, with most places remaining dry."
Its UK forecast for Saturday adds: "Largely fine with bright or sunny spells, most prolonged in the far west. Cloud spreading southwards could bring isolated showers that may turn thundery. Breezy along eastern coasts. Less hot."
Most areas of the country will still enjoy sunny spells, though some cloud cover is expected. Temperatures should reach the mid-20sC in the south, with parts of Northern Ireland and western Scotland seeing around 18C to 19C.
Many places will be around 3C to 5C cooler than earlier in the week, the Met Office said.
The forecaster added: "During Saturday evening, there remains a slight chance of an isolated shower across parts of Wales, the Midlands and southwest England, but most areas will enjoy a fine and dry end to the day.
"As winds ease inland on Saturday night and skies clear, temperatures will fall away quickly. Many rural areas are expected to drop into single figures, while towns and cities generally hold at around 11 or 12°C.
"Parts of Scotland could see particularly fresh conditions by dawn on Sunday."
