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Friday is off to a wet start in Northern Ireland and Scotland but elsewhere it is dry. This morning there will be sunny spells in England and Wales but areas to the southeast of London could see a few showers. Rain continues in the north west of the UK and through the day it slowly spreads southeastwards into northern England and Wales. Clearer conditions follow on behind it. During the afternoon torrential downpours and thunderstorms develop in southern and central England. They may lead to flash flooding and disruption on the roads but some places miss them completely and remain dry. 

Maximum temperatures vary a lot. In Scotland 22C (72F) is possible when the sun returns and in East Anglia a humid 28C (82F) may be reached, but areas under the band of rain stay cooler. See the rain and lightning radar for the latest view.

Meteo France Arpege, forecast temperatures, 18:00 BST Thu 19th July

Forecast short cuts

The month ahead - July 

Wimbledon tennis Hourly - 16 day

Tonight it turns drier in central and northern areas, and in the south east thunderstorms gradually fade away. Thundery outbreaks of rain are likely to continue in southern Wales, the south west and central southern England. 

Tomorrow begins with showery rain in parts of the south but during the morning it turns drier. Elsewhere it should be mostly dry and sunny spells form. During the afternoon isolated thundery showers may bubble up but for many it will be dry and warm. 

Sunday is looking fine in much of the country. Northern Ireland and western Scotland remain more mixed with cloudier skies and the risk of showery rain. The heat will be building and in central and eastern England temperatures could reach 30C (86F).     

GFS, forecast temperatures, 16:00 BST Sun 22nd July

Into the furnace next week?

Monday is expected to be dry, sunny and hot in much England and Wales. In eastern England temperatures could reach 33C (91F) and it will be humid. Western Scotland and Northern Ireland have a cloudier and cooler day with a risk of rain at times. 

The heat probably continues on Tuesday in much of England. In the north a weather front could push southwards and introduce cooler conditions as well as bringing the risk of heavy outbreaks of rain.

GFS, forecast 850hPa temperatures, 16:00 BST Tue 24th July

By Wednesday somewhat cooler conditions may have returned to all regions but through the second half of the week the heat is likely to build again. Forecast details become uncertain but computer models have been showing the possibility of a plume of air from North Africa spreading bringing the possibility of the hottest conditions of the summer so far. 

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Southern counties have a good deal of dry and warm weather, although there is a weak signal for the risk of rain to increase late in the month. In the north a more changeable outlook is favoured. View latest GEFS.