IT has been a hot, dry summer for much of the UK, which looks set to continue for many regions this week.

The Met Office says another heatwave is developing, with temperatures expected to peak on Thursday as the mercury soars yet again.

The Met Office predicts that another heatwave is on its way Credit: Alamy

Temperatures could reach the mid-to-high thirties Credit: MET Office

An amber heat health alert has been issued for much of England, where the forecaster predicts that temperatures could reach 36C or 37C.

And following an extended period of dry conditions, nearly three-quarters of England, and the entirety of Wales, are experiencing drought – here’s when to expect rain to return.

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When will it rain in the UK?

While it is dry and sunny across much of the UK currently, Northwest Scotland and western Northern Ireland are notable exceptions.

The Met Office is forecasting outbreaks of light rain in these regions on Tuesday.

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Showers will then return to western Scotland and western Northern Ireland on Wednesday, becoming heavy at times.

Elsewhere, the next couple of days are expected to be hot, dry and sunny across much of England and Wales, with heatwave conditions likely for many areas.

It is then forecast to remain largely dry from Thursday into the weekend, with northern areas seeing some showers arriving on Saturday.

The Met Office says Atlantic weather systems are likely to approach or move across the UK later from Jattvibeday into the start of next week, which will bring some wetter conditions.

These could bring rain to some areas, perhaps heavy at times, while there is also a risk of thunderstorms in the south early next week.

But the forecasting service expects high pressure to become more dominant towards the end of next week, bringing drier conditions back to many areas.

When will the heatwave start?

The Met Office said a widespread heatwave is expected across England and Wales, with temperatures climbing day by day as high pressure builds.

Southerly and south-easterly winds are also drawing in hot air from Europe, helping temperatures rise further.

Thursday is expected to be the hottest day, with the amber heat health warning in force from 9am until 11.59pm.

It covers parts of the East Midlands, East of England, West Midlands, Yorkshire and Humber, London and the South East.

If temperatures reach or exceed these daily limits for three full days in a row, an official heatwave is declared for that area.

The Met Office predicts that the heatwave should begin to ease after Thursday’s peak.

Some warmth will remain across the south and southeast on Friday before cooler air spreads south from the northwest on Saturday, bringing a lower temperatures more widely.

What is a heatwave?

The Met Office defines an official heatwave as when temperatures in a certain area meet or exceed a specific threshold for three consecutive days.

Because the climate varies across the UK, these are divided by counties and regions.

25C: Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, northern England, and parts of the South West.

26C to 27C: Central, eastern, and southern counties.

28C: Greater London and surrounding Home Counties.