UK weather maps show Britain 'disappear' as 500-mile storm crashes into country

Two ominous-looking weather maps show a rainstorm spanning almost 500 miles covering much of the country in fewer than two days' time. One of the maps from WX Charts shows a giant band of rain falling from Glencoe in Scotland all the way down to Southampton on the south coast of England.

This summer was the warmest on record for the UK, but it looks set to end with a spell of rain as the second map shows some 5mm falling over southern Scotland and part of Northern Ireland at midday on Wednesday (September 3). Up to 1mm will sweep across England and Wales if the models generated by WX Charts today (September 1) using Met Desk data prove correct. Another map shows gusts of wind peaking between 31-37mph (50-60kmh) in England and Wales.

The rain comes after this summer saw below average rainfall, with provisional figures showing the UK saw 84% of its long-term seasonal average, according to the Met Office.

England has seen its driest spring in more than 100 years and the driest January to July period since 1929, the forecaster reports.

On this week's weather, Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said there is more autumnal weather to come over the next few days.

He said: "Most of us will have some showers or even some longer spells of rain which could be quite heavy - could even be thundery."

The expert said low pressure to the northwest is driving the blustery weather and showers, with a front moving in from the southwest on Monday night.

Another front is going to bring some unsettled weather on Wednesday too. Mr Burkill said: "Most of us will see some heavy rain due to that and most of us will see some strong winds."

Met Office UK five day weather forecast

Monday, September 1 - Friday, September 5

Showers tend to ease a little through the evening and overnight tonight. A band of heavy rain will move into southwest England and the far south of Wales by dawn.

Rain will move eastwards across southern counties of England and Wales on Tuesday. Elsewhere will see a mix of sunny spells and scattered showers. Winds will be lighter and top temperatures will be near average.

The outlook for Wednesday to Friday is for brisk winds and heavy rain likely on Wednesday, followed by sunny spells and heavy showers on Thursday.

It will "perhaps" be a drier and brighter day for many on Friday, with temperatures around average.