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Thursday starts dry and murky in much of the UK but across the north west there is some patchy rain. This morning sunny spells form but thunderstorms spread into southern counties. Torrential downpours could bring flash flooding and through the afternoon they spread northwards and westwards into central counties. Northern Ireland and western Scotland become drier and most of the north has a bright day with scattered showers 

It will be warm and humid. Temperatures range from 21C (70F) to 25C (77F). See the rain radar for the latest view.

ICON, forecast rainfall, 16:00 BST Thu 31st May

Tonight the storms gradually become focused on Wales, the south west and central England before slowly fading away. Elsewhere clear spells develop but it will be muggy.

Tomorrow the risk of cloudbursts continues. The worst weather is expected to be in the north and west but isolated storms remain possible in the south. It will be a warm and humid, especially in sunny areas.

Weekend prospects

On Saturday thunderstorms continue in the north but the south has a good deal of dry and bright weather. It will be warm but not as humid as recently.

By Sunday the risk of storms reduces further. Much of the UK has a dry and sunny day. In the south temperatures could reach 27C (81F).

GFS, forecast pressure and precipitation, 16:00 BST Sun 3rd June

Next week

Temperatures remain above average and a good deal of dry and sunny weather is probable. There are indications of cooler and more changeable conditions returning during the middle part of June.

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16 day GEFS ensembles at a glance

A warm or very warm upper level air mass remains over the UK for the first third of June. Heavy showery rain is expected early on but it becomes drier by the 3rd. Towards the middle of the month cooler and changeable weather is shown returning. View latest GEFS.