Exact date torrential rain to sweep the UK as weather maps show return of stormy conditions

15 March 2024, 14:25

Heavy rain is set to sweep the UK
Heavy rain is set to sweep the UK. Picture: Alamy/WXCharts

By Emma Soteriou

Fresh weather maps have shown the exact date torrential rain will batter Britain.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Heavy rain will sweep the UK on March 26, with temperatures set to plummet as low as 0C.

The torrential downpours are expected to begin from midnight and continue for 10 hours, WXCharts maps have shown.

But they will begin to subside in the afternoon, with lighter showers only hitting the south.

The Met Office long-range forecast says: "A continuation of the changeable but generally mild conditions looks likely but with a tendency for any rain to be heaviest in western, especially northwestern areas while parts of the south and southeast are likely to see longer, drier interludes."

It adds: "There is a small chance of more notable colder conditions developing, most probable across the north of the UK, but at this stage any confidence this possibility looks to be a low risk."

Read more: Exact time ‘double snow bomb’ due to hit UK bringing freezing temperatures of -2C in return of wintry weather

Read more: How to avoid the travel chaos caused by the M25 closure - alternative routes explained

Rain is expected across the UK
Rain is expected across the UK. Picture: WXCharts

The WXCharts map suggest the stormy weather will spread from Wick in Scotland to Plymouth in Devon.

Scotland is expected to be worst hit, with 38-42mm of rainfall forecast, while northern England could see 15-20mm of rain.

It comes as there is also expected to be a weekend washout, with the Met Office warning of "showers or longer spells of rain" over the next few days.

As of Friday afternoon, the Environment Agency issued 21 flood warnings across England and 101 flood alerts.

Jo Farrow, a weather expert from Netweather, said: "The occlusion from the second low will pull southwards on Friday, away from Ireland and slowly down Britain.

"This allows colder air to flow down from the north ready for a clear Friday night. Next, a large Atlantic low pressure begins to edge towards the UK at the weekend.

"This will bring more widespread rain, heading northeastwards through Saturday along with milder air. It clears to a cooler Sunday with bright spells but plenty of showers from the west."

Some areas could even see snow this weekend amid frosty conditions.

Around 2cm of snowfall an hour has been forecast in some areas in Scotland, including Inverness and Fort William.

It is expected throughout Saturday, lasting until about 9pm.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Trump and Harris go head to head

US Election night guide: What time do polls close and who is favourite to win?

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had only just turned 12 when he took part in the violent disorder

Britain's youngest rioter: Boy who had just turned 12 sentenced for involvement in violent disorder

The 170-metre red bridge over wetlands in Canada Water, south-east London, opened last week

Security guards to stop cyclists from using bright red ‘wildlife boardwalk’ at £3.3bn London housing development

Rubert Gispin was visiting flood-hit parts of his native Valencia

Spanish influencer defends ‘shameful’ decision to deliberately cover himself in mud in Valencia’s flood damaged streets

Sara Sharif's father denies murdering the 10-year-old.

Father claims he begged to save Sara Sharif before being told ‘Leave it, she’s dead’

Queen Camilla is unwell with a chest infection and has withdrawn from her engagements this week

The Queen withdraws from engagements this week after being taken ill, Buckingham Palace announces

Tesco customers are furious after being forced to wait hours to book a Christmas delivery slot.

'It's like getting Beyonce tickets': Fury as Tesco shoppers face 'ridiculous' online queues for Christmas delivery slots

Ladbaby has broken its silence on historic allegations of gripping.

Charity chart-topper Ladbaby breaks his silence on 'groping' allegations

Labour MP Chris Webb 'attacked and mugged' near London flat by phone snatching gang

Labour MP Chris Webb 'attacked and mugged' near London flat by phone snatching gang

The White House has been barricaded and restaurants and stores boarded up as tensions rise over the election.

Washington DC braces for unrest as White House is barricaded and stores boarded up ahead of US election

Sir Chris Hoy said 'if you're over the age of 45, go and ask your doctor' for screening

Sir Chris Hoy calls for men to be offered prostate cancer screening from the age of 45 after his terminal diagnosis

Kamala Harris went door-knocking in Pennsylvania on the night before the election

Kamala Harris surprises residents in Pennsylvania as she goes door-knocking in final bid to win votes

Nearly 600 police officers sacked in a year amid as shocking figures reveal extent of misconduct crackdown

Nearly 600 police officers sacked in a year as shocking figures reveal extent of misconduct crackdown

Hundreds of people died in the devastating flooding in Spain

British man who survived Valencia floods describes hearing his neighbours’ horrifying final screams before they died

Amy Dowden said she was ‘heartbroken' as she left this year's Strictly Come Dancing

Amy Dowden says her ‘heart is breaking’ after she confirmed she will not return to Strictly

Anthony Scaramucci said the row between Trump and Labour would blow over

'Anglophile' Trump's row with Starmer will have 'no impact' on wider relations with UK, Anthony Scaramucci says