The Met Office has forecast heavy rain for 21 areas across northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland on Monday, as parts of weather maps turn blue
Numerous parts of Britain have grappled with drought over the last several weeks as the summer of 2026 has seen record-breaking temperatures and little rainfall. However lucky Brits in these locations are set to enjoy a little respite from the heat as rain is due to hit these locations tomorrow.
Last week Britain logged its hottest day of the year and fifth-highest temperature on record, as thermometers hit 38.1C at Kew Gardens in London on Thursday, the Met Office confirmed. Following record-breaking dry spells in July and an arid beginning to August, almost three-quarters of England and all of Wales are experiencing drought conditions.
Southern England and Wales appear likely to stay dry for the foreseeable future. However on Monday, 21 regions spanning northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland are expected to experience deluges, with Met Office weather charts displaying blue and yellow hues, signalling that substantial rainfall is approaching.
At 2pm, the majority of precipitation is predicted to cover vast areas of Northern Ireland. Western and central sections of the country appear set to endure the worst of the wet weather, the charts indicate.
This substantial rain band will also encompass Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland along with South Ayrshire. This rainfall zone will additionally extend into North West England, notably Cumbria.
By 8.45pm, the precipitation band will have shifted east/southeast throughout Scotland and Northern Ireland, with some showers extending into northern England, the charts show. The rainfall will also escalate, with nearly all of Scotland being swallowed by a colossal wave of rain, reports the Express.
The Scottish Borders in particular are set to take a battering, as are large areas of the Highlands, according to the maps. Northern England is also due for a soaking, with Cumbria, the Lake District, Lancashire and Cheshire all preparing for a barrage of heavy showers, as suggested by the Met Office forecast.
Weather maps suggest a significant north-south divide, with both Wales and southern England predicted to remain dry.
The Met Office’s weather outlook for Monday states: “Remaining cloudy in the north with outbreaks of rain, turning heavier and more persistent later. Further south, hazy sunshine will develop, making it feel very warm and humid.”
The 21 UK areas forecast rain on Monday
Scotland
- Highlands
- Argyll and Bute
- Isle of Skye
- Dumfries and Galloway
- Scottish Borders
- Stornoway
- South Ayrshire
- Stirling
- Glasgow
- Ayrshire
- Dumfries and Galloway
Northern Ireland
- County Fermanagh
- County Antrim
- County Down
- County Armagh
- County Tyrone
- County Londonderry
England
- Cumbria
- Lake District
- Lancashire
- Cheshire
Despite the rain in some areas Brits could face a bout of sweltering weather as the Met Office has predicted above-average temperatures and the possibility of more heatwaves over the next couple weeks.
The new predictions come in the latest forecast spanning from Saturday, August 29, to Saturday, September 12 – as the UK transitions into meteorological autumn. Weather experts say there is currently limited certainty over the precise weather pattern, but temperatures are “again likely to be above average overall”.