UK Faces 550-Mile Rainstorm Soaking 31 England Counties

The UK is poised to experience a significant weather shift characterized by extensive bands of rain stretching hundreds of miles, impacting large swathes of England and parts of Scotland. A 320-mile band of rain is expected to hit from Devon to Lancashire, covering nearly half of England and affecting numerous counties including Lancashire, Cheshire, Dorset, Somerset, and parts of the West Midlands, with rainfall predicted to continue through to May 25. Scotland will also see a change from dry, warm conditions to unsettled weather with Atlantic systems bringing rain and strong winds starting Friday night, potentially leading to a bank holiday washout. Furthermore, projections indicate the possibility of an even larger 550-mile rainstorm impacting 31 counties across England, with rain expected to persist into late May before conditions improve due to a high-pressure ridge. Forecasts warn of showers that may be heavy or thundery, with some areas experiencing cooler temperatures and occasional wintry conditions on higher ground. The overall pattern suggests a transition from recent dry spells to wetter, windier weather across much of the UK in the coming week.