UK heat relief for the weekend to be dampened by showers

By Kristina Pydynowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist

July 27, 2018, 12:06:35 PM EDT

Temperatures will finally return to more typical late-July levels throughout the United Kingdom this weekend, but wet weather could dampen outdoor plans.

Thursday became the hottest day so far this year across the U.K. after a high of 33.9 degrees Celsius (93 degrees Fahrenheit) in Charlwood in Surrey was recorded.

As severe weather from late in the workweek dissipates, a refreshing change will bring more normal late-July weather in time for the weekend.

High temperatures will hold near 21-24 C (lower 70s F) in southeastern England for both Saturday and Sunday, with highs of 16-21 C (60s F) anticipated elsewhere in the U.K. Highs have not been that low in London since July 10.

Outdoor activities can finally be enjoyed without the added strain of the heat and residents needing to take the necessary precautions to avoid heat exhaustion.

However, rain and gusty winds will prevent residents from taking full advantage of the heat’s departure.

A pair of depressions is expected to bring rainy spells through the weekend, especially to western and northern areas. The main impact of the rain will be disruptions to weekend plans and travel, but there can be isolated incidents of flash flooding as well.

While the rain stays mostly north and west of southeastern England on Saturday, gusty showers will engulf all of the United Kingdom by Sunday.

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Despite the hazards, any substantial rainfall through this weekend would be beneficial to ease the ongoing drought.

United Utilities is imposing a hosepipe ban starting on Aug. 5 for North West England.

Gusty winds can also blow over parts of the U.K. this weekend. The strongest winds are anticipated on Sunday, when there can be gusts of 40-50 mph (64-80 km/h) across western England and Wales. Coastal and exposed areas will face the highest winds and concern for sporadic power cuts.

More residents may be able to get outdoors to enjoy the more comfortable conditions early next week as the rainy spells diminish to more isolated showers across the northern and western U.K.

"The upcoming cooler weather may not totally put an end to the hot weather for the U.K. this summer," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Houk said. "There are signs that heat may attempt to make a comeback, especially over southern areas, later next week."

Temperatures in southern England look to rebound back into the upper 20s C (lower 80s F) again by the first weekend of August. This would be cooler than the recent hot spell across the United Kingdom but still about 5 C (10 F) above normal.