Forecast valid for Sunday 28/07/02 to Saturday 03/08/02 TOI Friday 26/07/02 1800 BST. Based on MRF, AVN, UKMO, and ENS labelled model.

Next week the British Isles will see a distinct contrast between the north-western sector, Ireland and W Scotland and the south-eastern half, E Scotland, England and E Wales. High confidence at 80% for some warm and dry, weather for the south-east with an increasing risk for thunderstorms. Many cloud, much cooler and dull at first for the northwest, drier and brighter from mid-week.

Sunday to Tuesday high pressure to the NE of the British Isles will keep the south-east, but also many other parts of England and E Scotland rather warm and dry with sunny periods and some cloud. Some low cloud might spoil the picture along North Sea coasts though. Ireland and W Scotland will see many cloud and some rain with good confidence (80%). The Midlands and the south-east might see temperatures around 28C to 29C and could reach 30C in urban areas, but thunderstorms will also become more and more likely between Wednesday and the second half of the week for these areas. Cloudier with some sunny spells and light rain for the northwestern British Isles.

After a brief cooling on Wednesday England temperatures will recover, while the northern UK will remain, closer to average, but sunny and a good chance for a mostly dry remainder of the week. Ireland a little warmer again.