After days of heavy rain and flooding, the weather is set to become more settled – for a few days at least.
Large parts of England and Wales were hit with intense downpours at the start of the week and Met Office figures showed 10 English counties experienced their wettest September on record. Areas across England have suffered heavy rain, high winds and flooding in recent weeks, with hundreds of properties and farmland flooded and widespread travel disruption with roads closed and rail services suspended.
Southern England had its wettest September since 1918, and its third wettest in records dating back to 1836, the Met Office said. England saw 95% above-average rainfall and Wales had 37% more for the month, but Scotland was 37% below average and Northern Ireland was 18% down.
However, any initial heavy rainfall and cloud on Wednesday will turn lighter as the day progresses with a new weather front moving recent unsettled conditions south over the English Channel, the Met Office said.
Clare Nasir, meteorologist at the Met Office, said: “Showers become confined to the Midlands south-eastwards as we head through the morning into the afternoon on Wednesday, and the cloud is breaking up further west across Wales as well.
“We hang on to those showers, fleeting at times, with a wind coming in from the North East through the latter part of tomorrow, so even here you’ll still see some showers, but not the intense rain that we have seen through the last month, off and on.”
Temperatures are also expected to climb to around the seasonal average, with highs of 17C in south Wales and south-east England.
But the settled weather may come to an end on Sunday as the Met Office is predicting thundery showers, heavy and persistent rain and heavy winds. The forecaster said England and Wales will likely see the bulk of the rain, while temperatures are expected to drop across the country.
Yahoo breaks down what the weather will be like for each region of the UK.
London and the South-East
Rain and cloud gradually easing throughout the day. Some bright or sunny spells in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 17C.
Mainly dry and sunny. Some patchy cloud and isolated light showers. Feeling warmer. Maximum temperature 17C.
Dry and bright on Friday and Saturday before turning wet and windy.
South-West
Brighter spells developing after a cloudy start. Warm sunshine with some scattered showers. Breezy. Maximum temperature 17C.
A cold start will lead to a fine day with some sunny spells. Maximum temperature 17C.
Settled on Friday but turning wet and windy on Saturday with sunshine and showers on Sunday.
Midlands
Dry and bright after a damp start. Feeling warmer and less windy. Maximum temperature 15C.
Another dry and sunny day with light winds. Maximum temperature 16C.
Wriday and Saturday before becoming wet and windy. Temperatures still above average.
North-East
A much brighter day with plenty of sunshine. The odd light shower. Maximum temperature 14C.
Early mist and fog clearing to leave a fine day. Plenty of sunshine and light winds. Maximum temperature 15C.
Fine and sunny on Friday before turning wet and windy over the weekend.
A sunny start to Wednesday across parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England ⛅
Cloudier elsewhere, with the risk of some patchy rain 🌧️ pic.twitter.com/MVDTpHAgPE
— Met Office (@metoffice) October 1, 2024
North-West
Cloudy in the morning before turning dry and bright in the afternoon. Plenty of warm, sunny spells. Maximum temperature 16C.
Turning bright after a frosty morning. Plenty of warm, sunny spells. Maximum temperature 15C.
Settled but chilly on Friday, turning wet and windy on Saturday and Sunday.
Scotland
Dry and bright with plenty of sunshine. Maximum temperature 14C.
Dry and sunny after a foggy start. Light winds. Maximum temperature 14C.
Mainly dry on Friday and Saturday. Scattered showers on Sunday.
Northern Ireland
Dry and bright with good spells of sunshine. Light winds. Maximum temperature 15C.
Dry and sunny bit some cloud in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 15C.
A rather cloudy few day with some showery rain, heavier on Saturday with strong winds.
Wales
Cloudy with patchy rain in the morning. Drier with sunny spells in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 16C.
Dry and bright after a cold start. Plenty of warm, sunny spells. Maximum temperature 16C.
Remaining settled on Friday but turning wet and windy on Saturday. Sunshine and showers expected on Sunday.
