Rain to return this week with chance of thunderstorms and flooding

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Rain to return this week with chance of thunderstorms and floodingImage source, Anadolu via Getty ImagesBySarah Keith-LucasLead Weather PresenterPublished15 minutes agoThe weather is set to turn more unsettled this week as rain returns with a chance of thunderstorms and localised flooding. Some places could see a return to showery conditions by Tuesday, but it is from Wednesday onwards that more widespread and persistent rain will arrive from the south. The wet weather will be welcome for parched regions of the UK, but a lot more will be needed before drought conditions start to ease.

Temperatures will also be on the rise once more, as warmer air moving in could push midweek highs close to 30C (86F) in places. Thunderstorm and flood risk to increase from midweekWhile drier conditions will continue into Monday for most places, Tuesday will see low pressure arriving from the south-west. This will bring showery conditions for parts of southern England and south Wales.

The Details

By Wednesday, downpours will become more widespread across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, while Scotland is likely to remain mostly dry. There could be some heavy and thundery bursts. From later on Wednesday until Friday, the threat of torrential downpours with hail and thunderstorms will increase.

The areas most at risk are southern England and Wales, where heavy rain falling on dry and hard ground may bring the risk of localised flooding. Image caption, Wet weather is expected in most places at times between Tuesday and Friday although amounts will vary considerably due to the showery nature of the rain. Will the rain improve drought conditions?

Although this week's rainfall is welcome and will go some way to help river levels and soil moisture content, it will take time for catchments and reservoirs to fully recover. Droughts tend not to end quickly after one period of rainfall. A drought will only officially end when rain, soil moisture, river levels and groundwater levels all return to normal conditions for the time of year.

What Experts Say

According to the British Geological Survey (BGS) "significant, cumulative rainfall over a period of time" is needed. However, as rainfall moves slowly through the water cycle, aquifers and groundwater stores have shown resilience, external throughout this current drought. Out of the 35 groundwater sites recently surveyed by the BGS across the UK, only eight (23%) are showing notably low levels.

Warmth to return as temperatures near 30CDespite the return of wet weather this week, warmer air, pushed up from southern Europe, will return. Temperatures in Scotland and Northern Ireland will reach around 20C by Wednesday. In England and Wales, 28 or 29C is possible towards the south-east.

Image caption, Midweek temperatures will be above average as low pressure to southwest will push warmer air across the UKThe heat is expected to be fairly short-lived though and temperatures are unlikely to reach heatwave thresholds again before the end of August.

The story has become one of the most prominent items on the global agenda.