UK weather maps show 'North-South divide' as giant '500-mile storm' to hit in days

Parts of Britain look to be in for a soaking while regions to the north may well escape, the latest weather maps show.

11:38, Sun, Jun 30, 2024 | UPDATED: 11:44, Sun, Jun 30, 2024

L-R: Two people walk in the rain and a weather map showing heavy rain

Weather maps show heavy rain smashing into parts of the UK (Image: Getty/WX Charts)

The latest weather maps show parts of the UK hit by stormy showers in a few days' time as bands of rain move in from the west. Cities including London, Birmingham, Plymouth and Cardiff could get a lashing as a swathe of Britain stretching from Cornwall to East Anglia gets a soaking.

Much of northern Britain appears likely to escape a drenching, although maps show patches of rain in parts of Scotland, including the Scottish Borders. The giant wall of rain will stretch around 500 miles covering the entirety of the south of England and Wales, according to the new weather charts.

Maps generated on Sunday (June 30) by WX Charts using MetDesk data show some 7mm of rain falling per hour in counties in England and Wales, including Cambridgeshire, Somerset and Monmouthshire by 6pm on Saturday, July 6.

It will feel cooler too as maximum temperatures look set to dip into the low to mid-teens Celsius, with 16C in London, Southampton and Newcastle on the same date, according to WX Charts.

Elsewhere, the mercury is forecast to reach maximums of 17C in Norwich, York and Edinburgh, with 14C in Belfast, WX Charts' maps show.

This weather map shows heavy rain in the southern half of Britain at 6pm on July 6

This weather map shows heavy rain in the southern half of Britain at 6pm on July 6 (Image: WX Charts)

A weather map shows rain across the south, Midlands and Wales at 6pm on July 6

A weather map shows rain across the south, Midlands and Wales at 6pm on July 6 (Image: WX Charts)

The Met Office's long range forecast (July 4-13) says the first couple of weeks in July will be changeable with occasional bands of rain moving in from the west and northwest.

Between frontal systems the forecaster expects dry, warm and settled weather, with the best conditions most likely in the south and east where winds will be lighter.

In the north and west, it will generally be breezier and any rain which does occur will be heaviest over the hills.

Temperatures will be around or a little below average for the time of year, but on sunnier days with lighter winds, it will still feel warm, according to the Met Office.

Netweather says it looks unlikely it will turn hot in north-western Europe for a while because of a strong high pressure area over the Azores and a strong jet stream running along its northern flank.

The forecaster says this will bring persistent west to north-westerly winds and some bands of cloud and rain coming in from the North Atlantic.

Don't miss...
Drug taken for common condition linked to 33% higher risk of dementia [REVEALED]
Scientists warn 'we're not prepared' for possible asteroid to hit Earth [REPORT]
Popular mouthwash 'could increase cancer risk and must not be used daily' [LATEST]

This weather map shows accumulated precipitation at 6pm on July 6

This weather map shows accumulated precipitation at 6pm on July 6 (Image: WX Charts)

This map shows maximum temperatures in the mid teens for much of the UK at 6pm on July 6

This map shows maximum temperatures in the mid teens for much of the UK at 6pm on July 6 (Image: WX Charts)

Met Office UK five day weather forecast

Sunday, June 30 - Thursdayz, July 4

Headline: Staying changeable over the coming days and rather cool.

Today: Sunday will tend to be a cloudy day, with the best of any sunshine across southern counties of England once any drizzle clears. Showers will develop as the day progresses, mainly in the north. Generally feeling cooler.

Tonight: Any showers generally fading this evening to leave clear skies for many. Turning cloudier in the northwest with outbreaks of rain. Feeling chilly under the clearest skies.

Monday: Bands of cloud and rain will continue to sink south and eastwards. Fresher and brighter behind, with some sunnier spells ahead of this in the south. Windy in the north.

Outlook for Tuesday to Thursday: Brighter on Tuesday with sunshine and showers, ahead of further rain moving into the northwest Wednesday with a breeze. A mixture of sunshine and showers on Thursday. Temperatures around average.