Brits brace for another week of heavy rain but soaring heatwave to hit UK this month

Brits have been warned to brace for a whole week of heavy rain as the sodden summer weather continues to batter the country.

But a blistering heatwave is on the way with predictions of balmy weather and hot temperatures from mid-July.

Scattered showers are forecast to sweep the UK on Wednesday, but skies could clear in time for England's Euros clash with Denmark.

Met Office meteorologists have predicted grey skies and rain across the entire nation throughout the day, but said sunshine could break through the clouds in time for 8pm.

Forecaster Annie Shuttleworth said the heaviest showers are likely to settle in the north-east and south-western corners of England on Wednesday.

The heaviest downpours will hit the north east and south west (PA)

She added that up to 50mm of rain has been predicted for the worst-hit region of North Yorkshire.

Ms Shuttleworth said: "It's quite a messy picture - there's a lot of rain going on.

"We are seeing generally unsettled conditions across the whole of the UK with heavy showers in the South and South East.

"On Wednesday morning we will see clouds break out and heavy showers, many across the South East through the mid-morning onwards.

"By early evening showers will start to die away.

Up to 50mm of rain could fall in the worst affected regions (PA)

"The sunnier and drier spells will be much more likely by 8pm - though there is still a risk of rain."

Four flood alerts, for areas where flooding is possible, have been issued for isolated spots in Hampshire, Berkshire, and Shrewsbury by the Environment Agency.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has also issued alerts for areas where rain could cause travel disruption for Dundee and Angus, Fife, Findhorn Nairn Moray and Speyside, and Tayside.

The wet weather is forecast to continue all week (met office)

Wednesday highs of 20C (68F) are predicted in London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast.

Longer range forecasts predict that the heavy rain will continue as far as into the middle of next week.

But then a "hot spell" of weather is expected to hit England from July 19 and last right up until August 2, the Met Office said.

UK Weather Forecast

Today:

A rather cloudy start with showers, especially in the northeast and southwest. Cloud breaking to allow more in the way of sunny spells to develop by afternoon but also a scattering of heavy, possibly thundery showers. Feeling a little warmer.

Tonight:

Showers, some heavy, dying out by midnight to leave a mostly dry night with occasional clear spells and perhaps a few mist patches by dawn.

Thursday:

A warmer day for most with sunny spells and fewer showers, although some may be quite heavy in the south and east. Light winds.