UK weather: Met Office verdict on July wash out - with five days of rain to come

Brits looking to bathe in a UK heatwave have a wait on their hands with July predicted to be a washout across the country.

The latest forecast revealed that the country is set to see spells of heavy rain and thunder until July 23 - and potentially beyond.

The Met Office said: "A mostly unsettled picture across the UK for much of this period, with a mixture of sunny spells and showers, but also the potential for longer spells of rain from time to time. Some of the showers will likely be heavy and thundery at times."

As well as the wet weather, the UK is also set to experience cooler temperatures in comparison to those earlier in summer.

"With time, low pressure is forecast to become centred to the northeast of the UK, with higher pressure trying to edge in from the southwest", the Met Office added.

As well as the wet weather, the UK is also set to experience cooler temperatures (WXCharts)

"Given this synoptic set up, it will often be breezy, although winds may be light towards northeastern areas at first, meaning showers will be slow-moving here. With the airmass predominantly originating from the North Atlantic, temperatures will often be on the cool side for the time of year."

The cooler forecast comes despite earlier predictions that temperatures could reach as high as 33C in some places.

This week, the UK is set to have five days straight of rain with breezy conditions, especially in the south.

On Saturday a swarm of flying ants a mile long has been caught on a weather radar along the south coast.

The Met Office picked up the peculiar spot on Friday and has told people to expect more in the coming days.

Today:

After a mostly fine start, it will quickly cloud over with rain across the southwest, moving northeast during the day. Some heavy showers expected across Scotland. Breezy, especially in the southwest. Warm in the east but cooler in the southwest.

Tonight:

Organised showers will continue to push north across Northern Ireland and Scotland, further to the south and west a new area of heavy rain will push east. Windy in places.

Tuesday:

Rain clearing from the southeast early morning. Elsewhere it's a day of sunny spells and showers, these most frequent in the north, perhaps with thunder. Near average temperatures.

Outlook for Wednesday to Friday:

Continued unsettled conditions with sunny spells and showers, at times torrential and thundery. Breezy, especially in the south. Temperatures around the seasonal average.