When is it going to rain again and could UK be hit by flash floods?

London and large parts of the UK have seen hardly any rain this summer,but a change in the weather might be around the corner (Picture: In Pictures/Richard Baker)

The UK usually loves to moan about the rain.

But Brits are begging for a change in the weather after back-to-back heatwaves and drought.

Relentless heatwaves have swept across the UK during the summer months,turning parks and fields bone-dry.

As the fifth heatwave of the season grips swathes of England and Wales and temperatures soar as high as 38°C,most of us are now praying for rain after weeks of dry weather.

Drought conditions have been officially declared in more than two-thirds of England after scant rain in over a month following the record-dry July.

While heavy rain might sound ideal after the blistering summer,there is a risk of flash flooding when the ground has been baked dry (Picture: Getty Images)

So against this bleak backdrop,when can we next expect rain?

While the scorching temperatures might feel like they will never end,some rainfall could be heading to the UK next week,according to Jim Dale,the founder of the British Weather Services.

He told Metro that the UK is likely to ‘get a break’ from the heat at the turn of next week.

To get the latest news on the hot weather,visit Metro's heatwave hub.

He said some of the gradual rain will ‘alleviate some of the difficulties like dust and wildfire problems.’

But the risk of heavy downpours following prolonged drought is flash flooding.

After the drought in the south,the ground is hard,which will make it difficult for it to soak up sudden gushes of water.

Northern parts of the UK have already seen rain,and it could head south next week (Picture: AFP/Getty Images)

Mr Dale said: ‘A big downpour is going to sit on the surface,which is when you could get flash flooding.’

After the 1976 record heatwave,there were ‘widespread floods’ due to prolonged rain and thunderstorms,which could be repeated in some parts of the UK this summer,Mr Dale said.

‘But the drought situation will not be alleviated very easily,’ he said.

‘It’s going to take weeks of sustained rain to get us back to where we need to,and the damage has been done – economic damage and damage to the crops.’

What about a possible sixth heatwave this summer?

Mr Dale predicts that once the temperatures begin to drop next week,‘that could be it as far as major temperatures are concerned.’

And extreme weather,including severe heatwaves lasting longer,is set to become the new norm,exacerbated by climate change and fossil fuel consumption.

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