Brits can look forward to more sweltering temperatures this weekend before heavy and persistent rain means a washout for the start of next week.
After several days of hot weather and thunderstorms, it is set to be slightly cooler today but still with the threat of some thunder and lightning.
A weather front from the Atlantic is becoming more dominant and bringing rain with it while it has been competing with a high pressure system bringing a North African plume.
Over the coming days there is likely to be a split with rain to the north and west while it remains largely dry in the South East.
BBC weather forecaster Ben Rich said: “Any more thunder and lightning in the outlook? Well for Friday this frontal system to the south east of us does look set to bring some heavy thundery rain but most of it will stay across the near continent, some perhaps fringing into south eastern parts of England.
"This band of rain pushing in from the west, this could generate the odd thunder storm as it pushes eastwards during the day.
"And even where we see some sunshine a few heavy, possibly thundery downpours will pop up. Temperatures a little lower on Friday, 14C to 19C, that’s actually around the average for the time of year and it will be quite breezy.”
Met Office forecaster Aidan McGivern said that the temperature could rise to 24C on Sunday as he looked at the weekend weather.
"The main theme is for higher pressure from the south, that’s where the finer weather will be, lower pressure will be to the north, nothing particularly unsettled I don’t think. It’s more a case of bright spells and showers for most," he said.
"A pleasant enough afternoon (for Saturday), temperatures at or just above average for the time of year, while I think it will feel quite cool I think where we have the cloudier conditions for Scotland, Northern Ireland and some of those heavy showers at times."
Then on Sunday he added: "For northern England, sunshine and showers, by the afternoon but towards the south east corner, staying largely dry through Sunday with some sunny spells with temperatures a little higher than Saturday, 23C perhaps 24C in London.
"High teens elsewhere across England and Wales mid teens for Scotland and Northern Ireland."
But Mr McGivern said there is a showery outlook for Monday.
He continued: "Quite a messy weather chart as we move out of Sunday and into Monday, this weather system continues to drift northwards, joining forces with this weather front pushing down from the north west.
"We are likely to develop low pressure to the east of the UK so that will bring some quick heavy and potentially quite persistent rain. Some hefty showers out west with some sunny, but a cooler feel, 14C to 17C or maybe 18C."
UK forecast for the next 5 days
Sunshine and showers for most. Cooler than yesterday.
Today:
Rain across southeast England clearing by early afternoon. Sunny spells and showers elsewhere, some heavy in the west with a risk of thunder. Breezy and feeling cooler.
Tonight:
A few showers persisting across west Scotland, else most parts becoming dry with clear spells. Staying on the breezy side, though turning chilly in some sheltered southern and eastern spots.
Saturday:
Dry and bright for many and feeling a bit warmer than today. Thicker cloud moving into western areas with outbreaks of rain across parts of northwest later.
Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:
Unsettled and rather cool with showers or even longer spells of rain at times, but with sunny spells too. Windy at times in the north.
