Although heavy showers are expected for many this week, the places across England and Wales most in need of significant rain may not see much of it in the coming days.
The dry spell at Wisley in Surrey, which had recorded 62 days without measurable rain, ended overnight.
Much of the UK will see a mixture of sunshine and showers on Wednesday.
Across Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England, the showers will be heavy, thundery and prolonged at times. Further south, the showers will be more scattered.
Thursday and Friday will see further showers, some heavy and thundery. England and Wales will see some prolonged and slow-moving downpours, with the potential for flash flooding.
However, a few days of rain will not be enough to alleviate the drought in two thirds of England and all of Wales and there are indications that further hot and dry spells could follow in autumn.
