It’s been the driest July on record, resulting in the whole of Wales and more than two-thirds of England being declared in drought. We’re in the midst of a fifth heatwave, with temperatures set to reach highs of 37C today, and there’s not been a substantial drop of rain for weeks. Ponds and lakes have dried up. Grass, plants and trees are dying. Wildfire risk is extremely high. Crops are fried. Wildlife is struggling. So, the question on everyone’s lips is: when is it going to properly rain? Is it going to rain soon? Scotland and Northern Ireland are enjoying showers today and the good news is, we might see some today further south, too. If not, there’s a fine chance we could get some decent precipitation towards the end of next week. A Met Office spokesperson told HuffPost UK: “There is a chance of some thunderstorms later today and into tomorrow which could bring some rain, however these are uncertain.” If this doesn’t happen however, all is not lost. They continued: “Rain spreading south at the start of next week is unlikely to make it into the south east of the UK. “So, the next chance of meaningful rain is from an area of low pressure which looks to move into the South West at the end of next week and move east across the UK, which could bring some much needed rain to areas most in need.” AccuWeather’s long-range forecast suggests there’s a 60% chance of rain and drizzle in London on Tuesday (18 Aug) morning, as well as a few showers on Wednesday and Thursday. The Met Office will be updating its forecast throughout the day, so it’s best to keep an eye on its website or social channels. The weather service’s spokesperson noted that the chance of rain is “still very uncertain” because of the time range. Hopefully we’ll know a bit more by the start of the week. The Met Office’s outlook for 27 August to 10 September is that many regions will probably have periods of dry weather, however some more “unsettled or changeable interludes are probable at times, bringing showers or some longer spells of rain, although overall rainfall amounts are more likely to be below average than above”. In the meantime, people in the south are urged to wear sunscreen, drink plenty of fluids, seek shade during the hottest parts of the day and take regular breaks from the sun to stay safe during yet another intense bout of heat. Related... Garden Experts Share 6 Tips To Heatwave-Proof Your Outdoor Space For 2027 After Weeks Of Heatwaves, 10 Plants Survived (And 4 Struggled) Doctors Explain Three Ways To Overcome Heatwave Anxiety