Rain to stop in time for weekend as sun returns

Over the next few days, high pressure will bring drier weather to the UK for the weekend, ending a week of heavy rain and flash flooding. Many areas will enjoy sunny spells on Saturday and Sunday, with daytime temperatures potentially reaching above the August average in southern England. However, Friday will see a chance of additional heavy showers, particularly in England and Wales where some thunderstorms may occur.

Most of Scotland and Northern Ireland will remain dry throughout the period. Northerly winds will be brisk on some coasts, making it feel cooler. Temperatures could peak at 12°C in northern Scotland, but climb to 21°C in southern England, which may be below the typical August average. If temperatures don't reach 25°C anywhere in the UK, it will be the first time since June 29th.

Friday night will be chilly, with temperatures dropping to 3-4°C in some rural parts of Scotland and northern England, continuing a trend of cool evenings over the weekend. By Sunday, afternoon highs will range from 16-20°C in Scotland and Northern Ireland to 19-25°C in England and Wales, close to the seasonal norm. Scattered light showers might appear in the northern and western parts of the UK, but most of the country will be dry, with a mix of patchy cloud and sunshine.

The recent downpours brought localized flash flooding, but not enough to alleviate the ongoing drought situation. The National Drought Group will now meet weekly, instead of monthly, to coordinate the response. As of Thursday, two-thirds of England and all of Wales are in drought, and officials say the situation is worsening despite the recent rain.

Drought conditions will only be lifted once reservoirs, rivers, and groundwater stocks are replenished, which is unlikely to happen for months. The outlook for the coming weeks is uncertain, with rain expected to return next week, but there is a possibility of more hot spells in September. For local weather updates, check the BBC Weather website and app.