Arctic air brings 15C drop in temperatures for parts of the UK

This week the weather is taking on a very different theme.

As well as some much needed rain forecast for parched areas of southern Britain, there will be dipping temperatures for all of us.

After highs of 38C last Friday, temperatures will be more than 15C lower in places – a big readjustment for many of us.

How much cooler will it be?

Temperatures have been on the modest side for Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England in recent days.

For parts of the south and south-east it has remained very warm and muggy, but from later on Tuesday evening it’ll become fresher as rain heads in.

It will be the first notable rain for weeks, if not months, for some places, including Wisley in Surrey, which has not recorded rain for more than 60 days.

By midweek we’ll be struggling to get near 25C – that’s the lowest top temperature in months.

In fact, we’ve not seen temperatures fail to reach 25C since the June 15.

On Wednesday it will be around 23-24C at best in the south-east, dipping to 22-23C on Thursday and 19-21C on Friday.

Further north temperatures will be nearer 16-18C, and a few degrees lower than that in northern Scotland, where there’s been rain on and off in the last few days.

Why is it turning cooler?

As an area of low pressure pulls away into northern Europe and an opposing high tries to build out in the west, it will leave space for a brief northerly air flow to direct some arctic air to us from the mid Atlantic, on Thursday into Friday.

The result will be significantly lower temperatures both by day and night.

It’ll feel much fresher and cooler than of late – more so in southern areas where the muggy warm air has held out the longest.

After highs of 38C last Friday, it’s likely top temperatures will struggle to get near 20C in places.

It’ll feel much cooler overnight and through the early mornings – especially for Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England. Some rural spots will feel almost chilly.