A sweeping weather system is set to drench much of the UK and Ireland this weekend, with a mix of heavy rain, thunderstorms, and flood warnings impacting regions from Munster and Dublin to Scotland and southern England.
Starting in the southwest of Ireland, a 24-hour Status Yellow rain warning took effect at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 19, covering Cork and Kerry. Thousands of Cork GAA fans travelling to Dublin for the big match against Tipperary on Sunday afternoon are bracing for difficult travel conditions, as Met Éireann forecasts persistent heavy rain and showers in Dublin that could affect playing conditions at Croke Park. Fortunately, the threat of thunder and lightning for the 3:30 p.m. throw-in has diminished, offering a glimmer of hope for fans and players alike.
Across Munster, the weather began Saturday with dry spells but quickly gave way to rain developing in the southwest and spreading northeastwards. Spot flooding and isolated thunderstorms were possible, with temperatures ranging from 16 to 20 degrees Celsius. Overnight, the rain continued heavily at times, maintaining the risk of localized flooding. Sunday’s forecast calls for mostly cloudy skies with showers or longer spells of rain, heavy at times, and a continued chance of flooding. Temperatures are expected to hover between 17 and 20 degrees, with light to moderate northerly winds.
Looking beyond Munster, the unsettled weather is set to continue through the week, with showers and rain affecting various parts of Ireland. Monday will bring heavy rain to the eastern half of the country, while drier conditions are expected to develop in the south by Monday night. Showers will persist in the north and northwest on Tuesday, with some sunny intervals further south. Temperatures will generally remain mild, ranging between 15 and 20 degrees Celsius, and moderate winds will prevail.
Meanwhile, Scotland is preparing for its own deluge. The Met Office advanced a Yellow weather warning for heavy downpours to midday on Saturday, extending until midday Sunday and covering most of the Scottish mainland. Forecaster Sean Batty highlighted that some areas could see as much as 75mm of rain within a few hours—equivalent to a month's worth of precipitation. Central and eastern regions, including the Borders, Edinburgh, Lothians, Lanarkshire, Fife, Angus, and Aberdeenshire, are expected to receive 20-30mm of rain widely, with localized heavier downpours. A second band of heavy, thundery rain is forecast to move north on Sunday, potentially reaching western areas such as Glasgow, Ayrshire, and parts of Argyll, raising the risk of localized flooding and power cuts.
In southern England, the Met Office issued an Amber weather warning for London and parts of the south and southeast from 4 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, marking the first Amber warning for London since January 2, 2024, when Storm Henk struck. The warning signals dangerous thunderstorms capable of delivering between 20mm and 40mm of rain in just one hour, with totals rising to 70mm to 100mm over a few hours. The Met Office cautioned that such torrential rain could cause "fast flowing or deep floodwater, causing a danger to life," and that homes and businesses might flood, with some communities potentially cut off by flooded roads. Buildings could also face damage from lightning strikes, hail, or strong winds.
The widespread storms are expected to sweep northwestwards across central and eastern England during Friday night into Saturday morning, with embedded thunderstorms bringing 20-30mm of rain in less than an hour and up to 90mm over two to three hours in some places. Frequent lightning and surface water flooding are also risks. A concurrent Yellow warning covers the north of England, Midlands, and eastern half of the country until 9 p.m. Saturday. Additionally, Yellow warnings for rain extend to eastern Scotland from Aberdeen to the borders from Saturday afternoon until Sunday noon, and to Cornwall and much of Devon from Sunday noon until early Monday morning.
Chief Met Office meteorologist Andy Page explained, "Intense rainfall will impact parts of the UK as thunderstorms move in from France. This weekend is expected to be busy on the roads as more schools in England and Wales break up for the summer holidays, so it’s important people keep up to date with the very latest forecast." Despite the unsettled weather, he noted that some parts of the UK will enjoy spells of sunshine between systems, with temperatures mostly in the high teens to low twenties, though southern areas could reach the mid to high twenties.
Given the challenging conditions, the AA has urged drivers to prepare for disruption and exercise caution on the roads. National Rail has also advised passengers to check services ahead of travel and to allow extra time, as speed restrictions may be implemented in affected areas.
While the UK and Ireland brace for these storms and showers, just across the continent, Spain is facing a contrasting weather threat: an impending heatwave. The Spanish Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has issued amber and yellow alerts for major tourist destinations including Alicante, Valencia, and Majorca, where temperatures are forecast to soar to 41°C. Residents have been advised to take precautions, and tourists are urged to heed warnings, especially those taking medication or vulnerable to heat stress.
This juxtaposition of weather extremes—flooding rains in the British Isles and blistering heat in parts of Spain—highlights the complex and varied climate challenges Europe faces this summer.
As the weekend unfolds, thousands of sports fans, festival-goers, and holiday travelers across the UK and Ireland will need to stay vigilant and flexible, adjusting plans to the whims of the weather. Whether it’s navigating flooded roads, enduring soggy matches, or simply keeping dry at outdoor events, this weekend’s weather is set to make a lasting impression.
