Following a summer marked by fluctuating weather patterns and a series of heatwaves, the UK is bracing for a dramatic shift as a massive 600-mile-long rainstorm is forecast to hit the country. Expected to arrive from the Atlantic in late August, this system is predicted to bring widespread downpours and cooler temperatures.
According to weather maps from forecasters like WXCharts, the extensive rain front is set to begin its sweep across the UK on or around August 27. The sheer scale of the system suggests that almost all of the country will be affected, with only a handful of counties potentially escaping the worst of the deluge. These areas are reportedly Aberdeenshire, Somerset, Middlesex, Kent, Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, and Cambridgeshire.
The heaviest rainfall is expected to impact parts of northern England, Wales, the East Midlands, and southern Scotland. Some higher elevations, particularly in Wales, could see significant rainfall totals. The rainstorm is expected to last for approximately 24 hours, with rainfall intensifying to around 3mm per hour in some northern areas on August 28 as the system moves away from the south.
The Met Office's long-range forecast for the period points to "unsettled conditions" with "showers or longer spells of rain" and the possibility of "heavy and thundery rain and strong winds." The forecast also mentions a deep area of low pressure linked to Hurricane Erin is likely to develop in the North Atlantic and progress towards the UK.
The predicted change comes after the UK experienced its fifth warmest July on record. Experts have warned that heavy rainfall following a period of hot, dry weather can increase the risk of flash flooding. This is because compacted, dry ground can repel water, leading to rapid surface runoff and an accumulation of water.
As the late August bank holiday approaches, people with outdoor plans are advised to be aware of the increasing risk of wet and gusty conditions. While the forecast models have some degree of uncertainty for events this far in advance, the trend towards more unsettled conditions appears to be firm. The transition from intense heat to persistent rain is a stark reminder of the changeable nature of the UK's summer weather.