Overview

• The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for heavy rain and thunderstorms from Friday through Sunday as a low-pressure system moves in from the Atlantic.
• Yorkshire Water and South East Water bans are already in force for six million customers and Thames Water has scheduled restrictions from next Tuesday across Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, most of Wiltshire and parts of Berkshire.
• The Environment Agency maintains drought status in regions including the Midlands, Yorkshire, Cumbria, Lancashire, Merseyside and Cheshire and warns up to five more areas could join by September.
• After temperatures dip back toward seasonal averages this week, long-range forecasts suggest a potential fourth heatwave could develop around July 29 with highs possibly reaching 30 °C or above in southern England.
• Storms may bring hail, gusty winds and localized flooding where hardened ground from drought could cause rapid runoff.