Met Office puts 10 areas on alert for downpours on Monday as map turns blue

Met Office puts 10 areas on alert for downpours on Monday as map turns blue Most of the rain is set to fall over Scotland and Northern Ireland, but northern England, the Midlands and South Wales will also be affected. Parts of the UK will swap the recent scorching temperatures for rain as some regions brace for downpours in the new week. A total of 10 areas will be hit by varying amounts of much-needed rain as seven areas of England are now in drought after record low rainfall and exceptionally high temperatures. Precipitation maps from the Met Office show light rain will reach the UK around 9am on Sunday, coming from the west and hitting the southwest of Northern Ireland first. Most of Northern Ireland will then be covered by light rain by 1am on Monday, including Belfast. At the same time, the rain will also spread into Scotland and Northern England, covering cities like Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle upon Tyne and Hull. By 4am, people in parts of South Wales will also experience light rain while some parts of the West Midlands will see light rain on Monday from 7am. Precipitations will cover most of Scotland on Monday morning, with places in the centre of the country such as Stirling and Strathyre getting moderate rain. York and Leicester will also get rain on Monday, along with places in the East of England. Most of Scotland will remain rainy until at least Wednesday, when heavy rain is forecast. Heavy rain will also hit South Wales, Stratford-upon-Avon and Peterborough on Tuesday afternoon. Light and heavy rain on Tuesday evening is then predicted for areas in the Midlands and between Manchester and Leeds. Most of London will be covered by light rain on Tuesday evening as the rain gradually moves eastwards. Giving an outlook for Sunday to Tuesday, the Met Office said: "Mostly dry and bright, with showers mainly in the far north Sunday. Rain may affect northern areas Monday and Tuesday, while southern areas stay warmer with sunny spells." Between August 4 and 13, changeable periods are likely, with "many places likely to see some much needed rain or showers at times but also some more sunshine". The forecaster said: "Initially, some heavy rain looks likely across the northeast, with some showers elsewhere. "After a drier, brighter few days, further unsettled conditions may develop for a while, these perhaps more likely towards more southern parts of the UK. Thereafter, further spells of dry, warm, sunny weather and cooler, wetter and breezier weather look likely as we head towards mid-August. "Temperatures will likely be a little above average overall, and there is the potential for some very warm or hot spells, especially in the south, although perhaps not the heat we have seen in recent weeks." Areas expecting rain - Scotland - Northern Ireland - South Wales - North East England - North West England - West Midlands - East Midlands - East of England - London - Yorkshire and the Humber