Mapped: Where thunderstorms could hit UK this week

Unsettled weather , longer spells of rain and a chance of thunderstorms is expected in the UK as August draws to an end.

Five back-to-back heatwaves over the past few months has left 70 per cent of England and Wales in a drought. Although some parts of the UK have seen cooler weather and showers, a lot more rain is needed before these conditions start to ease.

However, showery conditions could return by Tuesday, with widespread and persistent rain forecast across the south of England from Wednesday.

Despite the wet weather, temperatures are predicted to be on the rise, as warmer air moved in pushing temperatures to 26C.

Rain is expected to arrive in the south west and south Wales on Tuesday, before more showers sweep across the south of England on Wednesday.

By Thursday, heavy downpours are predicted in the West Midlands before moving up towards Manchester and Leeds.

However, thunderstorms could hit Manchester and Newcastle later in the week on Sunday afternoon.

Although warm and hot spells are still possible, they will likely be short lived, with temperatures sitting near average.

Temperatures are set to reach 26C in London on Thursday and sit in the mid to low 20C for most of the UK over the week.

But towards the end of September, the Met Office suggests there could be hot spells in the South of England.

2026 is the first year on record to see three separate days where temperatures reached the 37C threshold, as well as the first year with four days at 36C or above.

For four months in a row temperatures hit 35C in the UK on at least one day in May, June, July and now August.

July was also the driest month since records began in 1836 in both England and Wales, southern England alone had its driest calendar month ever on record.

By 15 July this year, the UK had already recorded more days above 30C than in the whole of 1976, which was known for its long-lasting heatwave.