UK weather: Dry in south with heavy rain set to batter northern England

Today:

Any lingering cloud and rain far east England clearing, otherwise a bright and chilly start. Turning cloudy in the north and west with outbreaks of rain and drizzle, heaviest across Northern Ireland and western Scotland. Otherwise fine and dry.

Tonight:

Cloudy in the north and west, with outbreaks of rain, especially western Scotland where persistent and occasionally heavy. Elsewhere, mostly dry and mild but turning cloudier.

Thursday:

Some rain and drizzle in west, this persistent and occasionally heavy across western Scotland and Northern Ireland. Bright or sunny periods developing south and east Britain, feeling warm.

Outlook for Friday to Sunday:

Rain continuing across parts of Northern Ireland and Scotland before easing over the weekend. Largely dry elsewhere with variable cloud and early fog patches. Temperature above average at first.