The cooler conditions will be accompanied by a significant increase in rainfall, particularly across parts of southern England, where substantial rain is expected after weeks of exceptionally dry weather. Further showers and thunderstorms are forecast to spread across the UK from Wednesday into the weekend, while the wetter pattern gradually extends into parts of continental Europe. The rain will provide welcome relief from drought and wildfire conditions, although intense downpours falling on parched ground could lead to rapid surface runoff and localised flooding.