UK and Europe weather forecast latest, July 24: Warning issued to tropical storm Gonzalo with thunderstorm and torrential rain
	UK and Europe weather forecast latest, July 23: Searing weather to end July in Britain
	UK and Europe weather forecast latest, July 22: Week-long 30C heatwave to bake UK from next week

UK's weather forecast

UK weather forecasters have predicted an abrupt end to high temperatures this weekend, as torrential rain will drift in and dash hopes of another heatwave, express.co.uk reported.

UK weather forecasts have hailed a potentially miserable weekend for the UK this week, but only once temperatures have built back towards 30C. The change would herald an end to a glorious month for the country, which has seen temperatures rise towards 30C more than once. Should another heatwave develop this weekend, it would mark the fifth of 2020.

However, it likely will not get the chance according to Met Office forecaster Becky Mitchell, who told the Evening Standard rain would envelop much of the UK before Saturday.

UK weather forecast: Rain to ENVELOP UK and extinguish heatwave hopes (Image: WXCHARTS)

She said torrential rain pouring over the UK would drive sun-seekers indoors and raise risks of flooding.

Ms Mitchell added the forecast for the next few days offers a "messy picture" as temperatures drop. But the Home Counties would get the best of the weather, mainly in the east.

She said: “Tonight looks to be dry and cloudy for most places, it’s quite a mild night as well with temperatures perhaps not falling below 17C in the south-east.

“Come Friday daytime, it’s a cloudy start for most but turning brighter in the afternoon and we could see temps of 26C in London, so quite warm in the sunshine with cloudy intervals.

“On Friday evening we start to see rain move in from the west and that could be heavy at times.

"Overnight that rain will spread across all parts of the UK.”

UK weather forecast: Temperatures will rocket to 26C this week (Image: WXCHARTS)

Neither the Environment Agency nor Met Office has issued any rain or flood warnings for the UK just yet.

There is currently one Environment Agency alert for Scotland, as heavy rain could cause river levels at the rivers Esk and Irthing today.

By Sunday the worst of the rain will likely subside, with more sunshine and high temperatures on the horizon.

Ms Mitchell added: “It’s a picture of sunshine and showers on Sunday, more settled."

"It could reach about 23C in the south-east. "It’s feeling quite a bit cooler in Scotland and Northern Ireland.”

UK weather forecast: Rain will lash across the UK from the west this weekend (Image: WXCHARTS)

While much of this weekend may prove a washout, bookmakers believe the summer as a whole will go down as one of the hottest on record.

Coral recently lowered its odds to 4-5 summer 2020 would come as the hottest ever. They added August would also see some high temperatures, with 10-11 odds it would break records. The temperatures could lead the Government to enforce a hosepipe ban, with Coral providing evens they would do so.

Coral spokesman John Hill said: "We are set for a sizzling late summer this year and our betting suggests it could break all records.

"After what has been a mixed July so far, we are expecting August to get off to a stunning start and it may end as a record hot month."

UK weather forecast: There is currently one flood alert in place for the UK (Image: ENVIRONMENT AGENCY)

Temperatures are forecast to sink over the weekend, with the Atlantic jetstream bringing wind and rain to much of the UK.

There is also the potential for flooding in parts of England, as the Environment Agency cautions heavy rain could lead to localised floods.

On Saturday, there will be heavy rain and strong winds, with up to 50mph winds possible.

Temperatures could plummet by as much as 10C, reaching just 16C on Saturday compared to the 26C highs of Friday.

On Sunday, some sunshine may peep through the clouds, however a cool day again for much of the country.

Heatwave UK latest: Hot weather will end this weekend as thunder and lightning hits (Image: WXCHARTS/ GETTY)

Met Office forecaster Tom Morgan said: "We are getting some changeable and unsettled period for all parts of the UK over the weekend and most places will see rain over the weekend.

"There will be some rain over the next few days, but most won't see much impact until the weekend.

"From Saturday onwards we will widespread heavy rain and thunderstorms, with around one inch of rain expected to fall in a short space of time.

"Currently the rain will be focus around the Midlands, East Anglia, Northern England and Scotland.

"Thunderstorms could focus fairly widely - but they are most likely to occur in eastern areas - England and eastern parts of Scotland."

Heatwave UK latest: Hot weather will soon turn cool as the jet stream brings rain and wind to the UK (Image: WXCHARTS)

Netweather forecasters agree with the likelihood of thunder, lightning and heavy showers across the weekend.

The forecasters write: "It’s all downhill as we head into the weekend, turning unsettled, cooler and windier.

"Saturday will see early rain giving way to heavy and locally thundery showers, Sunday seeing sunny spells and blustery showers."

Heading into next week, conditions will continue to be unsettled and colder than the week before.

Netweather's forecast for next week reads: "Outbreaks of rain spreading northeast across England and Wales during Monday, reaching southern Scotland by the evening.

"Heavy showers or longer spells of rain across England and Wales on Tuesday, Scotland and Northern Ireland drier and sunnier."

Heatwave UK latest: Saturday will see widespread rain and some thunder and lightning (Image: MET OFFICE)

The Met Office forecasts a similar picture through the rest of the period, though there is likely to become more settled for a short time towards the end of July.

There is a return to periods of rain and strong winds are expected as well.

However, there may be a respite from the cold and rain come Wednesday, as the forecasters predict an area of high pressure bringing "drier, sunnier and warmer conditions".

How long this area of high pressure will linger across the UK is unknown as yet.

Europe's weather forecast

BBC weather has forecast a significant change in conditions for Europe this weekend as storms are moving in across northwest Europe from the Atlantic.

BBC Weather's Nick Miller warned of a weekend washout as an area of low pressures builds in northwest Europe. But areas of storms such as north Italy and the Balkans will begin to see sunshine again. Temperatures are expected to drop to the low 20s with a lot of cloud cover and the odd shower breaking out.

Temperatures are set to drop to the low 20s as storms move in (Image: WXCHARTS)

Mr Miller said: "Some storms breaking out across the Alps could produce some quite hefty downpours for the next couple of days.

"It is really quite unsettled in Scandinavia, some wet weather around and it's quite cool but down towards Iberia there is heat to be found.

"There are storms breaking out in northern parts of Italy into the Alps and parts of Balkans as well.

"As we move northwards, we would expect temperatures to get lower but they're quite a bit lower where we're seeing cloud and rain across Scandinavia.

"Another area of low pressure moving in across the British Isles with unsettled weather on Saturday.

"But we will see brighter skies and warmer weather across Italy on the weekend."

BBC weather has forecast a dramatic change in conditions for Europe (Image: BBC)

It comes as researchers say it is currently impossible to know whether more people contract coronavirus in hot or cold weather.

The arrival of summer in the Northern hemisphere has drawn attention to the question of whether warmer weather might slow the spread of COVID-19. But new analysis from researchers at the University of Oxford highlights key limitations of available data.

Dr Francois Cohen, study lead author and senior researcher at Oxford's Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, said: "Our study found several problems with trying to understand the influence of weather using existing data on confirmed COVID-19 cases.

"The existing data can't reliably tell us whether warmer weather slows down the spread of Covid-19, as some earlier studies have tried to assess, so we urge both policy makers and the public to act with caution."

Storms from the Atlantic will bring rain and cloud cover for the UK (Image: BBC)

The analysis, published in the Environmental and Resource Economics journal, says there are a number of potential problems with the data.

The main issue, according to the study, is that the weather itself could be influencing the number of tests carried out and who gets tested.

For example, patients suffering from pre-existing diseases could develop Covid-19 unrelated symptoms due to the prevailing weather conditions and hence be selected for Covid-19 testing more frequently than other population groups.

Such influences make it impossible to statistically separate this effect from any influence of the weather on the actual spread of the virus, the researchers say.

They added that the available data was patchy.

Tropical storm Gonzalo NOAA updated

Tropical storm Gonzalo is tracking through the Atlantic towards the Caribbean, forcing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to issue hurricane watch warnings. The storm could soon "re-strengthen" and become the first hurricane of the 2020 season.

Tropical storm Gonzalo NOAA 5pm update: Gonzalo could become first 2020 Atlantic hurricane (Image: WINDY)

Tropical Storm Gonzalo has debuted as one of the strongest storms in the Atlantic this year, tearing through the ocean with 60mph winds. The storm is currently one of three on the NOAA radar, alongside one west coast hurricane and an east coast depression. The Atlantic hurricane season only began last month, but six storms have already ripped through the area, and Gonzalo may end up one of the worst.

According to the NOAA's hurricane wing, the National Hurricane Centre (NHC), Gonzalo may graduate from tropical storm to hurricane.

The NHC said the storm is currently slowing, becoming a "little weaker" as the day progresses.

The storm is currently commanding gale-force winds of 60mph, with some higher gusts.

Officials have advised "there is still a chance" Gonzalo could acquire hurricane status by the weekend.

Tropical storm Gonzalo NOAA 5pm update: Tropical Storm Gonzalez is whipping up 60mph winds (Image: NOAA)

The latest NHC advisory states: "Gonzalo is moving toward the west near 13mph (20km/h).

"A westward to west-northwestward motion with an increase in forward speed is expected through the weekend.

"On the forecast track, the centre of Gonzalo will approach the southern Windward Islands Friday night and move across the islands Saturday and Saturday evening.

"Maximum sustained winds are near 60mph (95km/h) with higher gusts.

The latest NHC advisory states: "Gonzalo is moving toward the west near 13mph (20km/h).

"A westward to west-northwestward motion with an increase in forward speed is expected through the weekend.

"On the forecast track, the centre of Gonzalo will approach the southern Windward Islands Friday night and move across the islands Saturday and Saturday evening.

"Maximum sustained winds are near 60mph (95km/h) with higher gusts.

Tropical storm Gonzalo NOAA 5pm update: Tropical Storm Gonzalez the NHC has issued warnings for the West Indes (Image: NHC)

"Some strengthening is forecast during the next day or two, and there is still a chance that Gonzalo could become a hurricane.

"Weakening is expected after Gonzalo moves into the Caribbean Sea.

"Gonzalo is a tiny tropical storm, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles (35 km) from the centre."

The NHC has issued hurricane watch advisories before Gonzalo's expected development.

Atlantic hurricane season started last month on June 1 and marks a turbulent period for the US, Mexico and parts of the Caribbean. The area often sees several hurricanes pass through, and last year saw a total of 18 storms.

In all, each of those storms killed 116 deaths and incurred damages of $11.62billion (£9.1billion). Storms often travel across the Atlantic and can cause adverse weather conditions in the UK.

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