IMPORTANT : ARCHIVED CONTENT

Saturday starts with heavy showery rain in much of the UK. This morning brighter periods develop across the south but rain continues in the north. Through the afternoon another batch of showers moves up from south west and spreads across much of England and Wales.

It will be blustery and much fresher than recently. Maximum temperatures this afternoon range from 16C (61F) in Northern Ireland to 24C (75F) in sheltered parts of the south east. See the rain and lightning radar for the latest view.

KNMI Hirlam, forecast rain, 16:00 BST Sat 28th July

Forecast short cuts

The month ahead - July

Tonight showers continue but in the east they become more scattered. Later on more persistent outbreaks of rain spread across the south west, Wales and central England. 

Tomorrow heavy outbreaks of rain and strong winds sweep eastwards. Gusts of close to 50mph are possible in exposed places and with trees in full leaf there is the potential for some damage and disruption. In the afternoon brighter conditions return to western and central regions. It will be cool, especially in the wet areas.

KNMI Hirlam, forecast rain, 14:00 BST Sun 29th July

Summer set to return next week

During Monday and Tuesday changeable weather continues. All regions could see rain at times but it should gradually turn drier and brighter in the south as a ridge of high pressure builds from the southwest.

Through the rest of the week high pressure is set to become the dominant feature of the weather again. There is uncertainty about its positioning and to a large degree that determines how warm it will become. Computer models currently suggest it will be centred over the UK or to the south west. That would prevent the reservoir of heat in southern Europe spreading northwards, at least in the short term. Therefore it is more likely to be warm or very warm rather than hot.

Register for the TWO community

If you would like to join the TWO community please see how to register for the forum. People with all levels of meteorological knowledge are very welcome to apply. However if you're a meteorology (or related subject) student or recent graduate there may be an opportunity for you to earn some money next summer.

Forecast tools

Check the latest satellite images, computer model charts and rain radar:

1981 - 2010 daily temperature charts

Temperature anomalies

DWD ICON forecast charts

EUMETSAT high resolution satellite images

Rain and precipitation type radar

Meteo France Arpege forecast charts

Global Forecast System (GFS) forecast charts

16 day GEFS ensembles at a glance

All regions have wet weather at times during the first few days. Thereafter high pressure builds and it turns drier, particularly in the south. View latest GEFS.