BBC Weather has forecast eight days of rainfall in London over the next two weeks, marking a significant shift from the recent heatwaves. The prediction, released on August 20, 2026, indicates that the prolonged dry spell is likely to end, with rain expected on more than half of the days in the coming fortnight.
Rainfall Details and Timing
According to the BBC forecast, rain is expected from Tuesday, August 26, through Wednesday, September 2, with only one day—Saturday, August 29—remaining dry. The rainy period includes a bank holiday weekend, with showers forecast for Sunday, August 30, and Monday, August 31. Most of the rainy days are expected to be light, but September 1 is forecast to see considerably heavier rain.
The BBC noted that its forecasts operate on a probability scale, meaning the predictions are not an absolute guarantee of rain but indicate a significant chance. Saturday, August 29, is forecast to be sunny with temperatures in the low to mid-twenties Celsius, while the four days before it will see rain. Friday, August 28, may even see thundery conditions between 5 and 7 pm.
Temperature Outlook and Heatwave Relief
Temperatures over the next two weeks are expected to peak at around 24°C on Sunday, August 23, offering relief from the recent heatwaves. The BBC forecast suggests that the coming days will be cooler, with no extreme heat predicted in the immediate term. However, the Met Office has not ruled out the possibility of temperatures rising again, though it has not forecast an actual heatwave.
The BBC's long-range forecast states: "A rather unsettled start to autumn is most likely with all areas probably seeing a mixture of showers or longer spells rain interspersed with drier interludes. Temperatures likely varying around average, some warm or hot spells are possible but unlikely prolonged in early September."
Potential Flooding and Autumn Outlook
Weather expert Jim Dales warned that London could face flooding as a direct result of the changing weather patterns. "There is a tendency for the weather to make up what it's been short of," he explained. "This is a kind of natural pattern—a balancing effect. It's a bit like what happens in the tropics when you get a dry season then you get a very wet season."
The BBC's forecast for mid-September indicates a possible increase in drier, more settled weather, especially in the south and east, though signals become very weak. The Met Office has also cautioned that the current predictions are liable to change, given the difficulty of forecasting this far ahead.
