London got its first “heavy rain” in weeks overnight, with more showers predicted to be on the way for the drought-hit city.
Londoners woke on Tuesday to puddles on the streets, while others celebrated as they heard the rain in the early hours.
According to the Met Office rain tracker, showers began sweeping across the capital from 3am this morning, with as much as 32mm of rain per hour falling in parts of the capital.
The tracker showed rain hitting most of the city - some parts of which haven’t seen any real rain for almost two months.
It comes after England saw the driest July on record - with no meaningful rain in London.
According to Thames Water, the north of the capital saw zero rain with areas south of the river receiving just 1mm.
Across the Thames catchment area, just 0.8mm of rain was recorded - a mere 2% of the long-term average.
The “flash drought” has left millions in London under a hosepipe ban as reservoir levels drop, while turning the capital’s green spaces yellow and brown.
Many Londoners took to social media to celebrate after the rain fell overnight.
It’s 3.50am and I can hear loud rain in central London!
— Natsukashii_sunset (@Natsukashiisun1) August 18, 2026
Rain in London at 3.52am!! It’s been a while… pic.twitter.com/SnfYdlSord
— Manny Norté (@MannyNorte) August 18, 2026
omg is this rain im hearing in london.. i forgot what that sounded like 😭❤️
— dia ☆ (@squaredials) August 18, 2026
never thought I’d be waiting for this but, man it’s finally raining in london
— Wesley your friend Wesley (@InternetWes) August 18, 2026
Omg it finally rained in London!!! Hallelujah! 🤲#ThingsINeverThoughtIdTweet
— Latika M Bourke (@latikambourke) August 18, 2026
2 months without it and endless searing heat. Has been a very long, hot summer. pic.twitter.com/6VatnCSMGw
Multiple forecasters are also predicting more rain to fall in the capital in the coming days, with further showers expected later on Tuesday.
Light rain showers are also forecast for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday by BBC weather, and the Met Office is also predicting a chance of showers on those days.
The lack of rain this summer has put unprecedented pressure on London’s cherished parks and beauty spots.
Earlier this month the head of gardens at Chiswick House and Gardens warned of “scorched” conditions.
Darren Share, director of parks at the Royal Parks, said the driest July on record and consecutive heatwaves showed it “is a moment of urgency”.
Meanwhile there is the risk of hail, lightning and the potential for flash flooding in other parts of the UK.
Most of the showers will fall across parts of north-west England, Northern Ireland and southern Scotland, with some parts of south-east England staying dry.
