A muggy few days could be in store for parts of the UK — but fresher weather will arrive in time for the bank holiday weekend, say forecasters.
Warm temperatures will be accompanied by humidity in some areas of southeast England on Wednesday (August 24), with temperatures climbing to 28C by the afternoon in the capital.
While skies are expected to remain clear in these areas, a cooler and wetter day is likely in the north, with Weather.com forecasting highs of 20C in Manchester and Edinburgh.
Humidity levels will then reach 69% on Thursday in London as precipitation arrives, before dropping again on Friday (August 24).
Explaining some of the changes in the weather this week, Brian Gaze from the Weather Outlook wrote in a blog post: "Cooler air will gradually be returning from the northwest as a frontal system pushes down across the UK.
"It brings a risk of thundery downpours to the south east on Thursday. By Friday all areas will be fresher and there should be a lot of fine weather through the Bank Holiday weekend."
The Met Office meanwhile expect the three-day weekend to be an unpredictable affair, with changeable conditions meaning both showers and spells of warm sunshine are likely.
Forecaster Alex Deakin warned that "there’s more uncertainty than usual in the weather", and advised that anyone with holiday plans stay up to date with the weather on a day-by-day basis.
UK weather forecast:
Rain for some. Hot in the southeast.
Today:
A band of rain will move slowly southeastwards across Wales, northern and western England. Hot and humid in the southeast with sunny spells. Turning brighter and fresher in the northwest with a few showers.
Tonight:
Rain edging slowly eastwards across England and dying out, but heavy, thundery rain will develop in the southeast later. Clear spells in the northwest with a few showers.
Thursday:
Heavy, thundery rain in the southeast slowly dying out. Most parts dry with warm sunny spells. A few showers in the far northwest, with more persistent rain arriving later.
Outlook for Friday to Sunday:
Friday dry and sunny for many, although showers in the west. Mostly dry, bright weather for central and southern areas through the weekend, but rain in north at times.
