Wednesday
A zone of rain and possible thunderstorms is expected to drift westwards across central England and Wales, locally giving heavy falls for several hours, reaching north-western areas into the afternoon. Low cloud plagues north-eastern coasts again. Some thundery rain may affect eastern Scotland later. Best of the sunshine in western Scotland and Northern Ireland. An easterly breeze in the north, but light winds for most. Highs 15 to 18C east, 20 to 23C central and western areas.

Wednesday night
The remnants of thundery rain is expected to affect north-west England, south-west Scotland and Northern Ireland into the evening and night. Some heavy bursts locally. Possible bursts of rain for northern Scotland too. Any residual storms from central England will fade. A humid, murky night with some mist patches in low-lying areas, perhaps also some hills. Light winds. Mild overall, lows 11 to 15C.

Thursday
Staying generally warm and humid with a risk of thunderstorms. The greatest risk of downpours is across central and southern parts of Britain and Ireland, with some slow-moving torrential bursts by afternoon and evening. Isolated showers elsewhere. Murky for some, especially in the east. Hazy sunshine, best in the west. Mostly little wind; sea breezes near coasts. Max temperatures 21 to 24C inland and west, but just 14C on the east coast.

Friday
Slack pressure and areas of thundery rain moving around slowly. The focus of showers may move further north than earlier in the week, breaking out down the spine of the country, but will remain very hit and miss with low confidence of details. Some places may stay dry all day. Periods of sunshine. Murky for some North Sea coasts. Light winds and coastal sea breezes. Highs 18 to 25C, warmest central and western areas.