News · 17 August 2026

UK to get rain and much cooler weather after long dry spell

After weeks of extreme heat, temperatures across the UK will drop by around 2 to 4C below average by the end of this week. High pressure over England and Wales will be replaced by low pressure, bringing unsettled conditions and some rain. Southern England, which has seen no significant rain for two months, should get heavier showers by Wednesday.

By BriefTea Editorial · 17 August 2026 at 5:55

Reported by BBC · How we write briefs

Get the app

Understand this story

How does climate change affect rain? What is high pressure? What's a dry spell? Why are temperatures changing?

More briefs

PoliticsBurnham to end indefinite jail terms by parliament's end BusinessEngland's free bus pass age will rise to 67 by April 2028 EntertainmentAnne Hathaway joins Tom Cruise in Days of Thunder sequel out 2028 WorldArizona desert deaths of 19 migrants last month hit a two-year record GeneralCatholic Church forced adoptions continued into the 1980s SportsCollege football player MicahJo Barnett dies after sideline emergency Browse all stories →