Met Office puts 12 areas on alert for 'heavy bursts' of rain on Sunday

Met Office puts 12 areas on alert for 'heavy bursts' of rain on Sunday Heavy bursts of rain are set to hit parts of the UK through Saturday night into Sunday morning, a Met Office meteorologist has said The Met Office says multiple parts of the UK should brace for heavy rain on Monday ahead of what is forecast to be a fourth heatwave of the year next week. A total of 12 UK areas have been told to expect heavy downpours by 5am on Sunday. Meteorologist Alex Burkill said: "The weather front will bring some more widespread rain through Saturday night into Sunday, especially towards the northwest, where it could be a bit heavy, a bit persistent and down the western side [of England], some heavier bursts of rain. "Some parts of Wales and South West England are likely to see more rain through Saturday night into Sunday than they have done so far this month." On Sunday, there will be "outbreaks of showery rain" in many places at 10am , with "a lot of the rain" then clearing away towards the east, Mr Burkill said. There will still be some "fair scattering of showers" across Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern parts of England and Wales around 3pm but this will be "a bit less rain than earlier on in the day", he added. Mr Burkill said: "More sunshine across southern areas looking largely fine by the time we get into the afternoon [on Sunday]. Temperatures are going to be down a few degrees compared to what we've seen of late. "Most places will be a couple of degrees lower than on Saturday. Temperatures will peak in the mid-twenties. High pressure in the south means more dry weather next week and we could see a return of the heat." The next heatwave is set to grip the nation next week, with highs of 35C, lasting from Monday to Friday, according to the latest weather maps. Netweather data shows temperatures are expected to start to rise at the end of July, reaching 30C in some areas of the West Midlands on Monday, July 27, even as other areas of the country see showers. On Tuesday, temperatures are set to climb again with much of the East of England set for 33C, and London reaching 32C. In Wales, temperatures will also increase, with weather maps showing highs of 29C. The hottest day is expected to be on Thursday with Berkshire forecast to reach 35C. London and the home counties are predicted to bake in 34C and 33C. Areas set for heavybursts of rain on Sunday Scotland - Argyll and Bute - Highland - Eilean Siar Wales - Gywnedd - Ceredigion - Anglesey England - West Yorkshire - North Yorkshire - Lancashire - Merseyside - Lincolnshire - Nottinghamshire Regarding Sunday to Tuesday, the Met Office's latest forecast says: "Fresher for all on Sunday with sunny spells and some showers. Remaining changeable early next week across the north, but potentially turning dry and very warm again in the south." A long range forecast from July 29 to August 7 states that the weather will be dry at first across the south, bringing long sunny periods and temperatures being "very warm". The forecaster added: "Cloudier in the north with some outbreaks of rain, which could be heavy in places, and temperatures nearer normal. "It will probably become more changeable thereafter, with potential for an area of low pressure to move close to or across the UK at the end of July or early August. This could bring spells of heavy rain and perhaps some strong winds for a time. "It may become more settled again toward the end of the first week of August."