The new working week is here and, for the time being at least, there is very little change in the overall weather pattern. The now familiar north-south split remains firmly in place today with Atlantic frontal systems continuing to affect northern parts of the British Isles. They are likely to linger for another couple of days before gradually losing their influence during the second half of the week, allowing drier, brighter and warmer conditions to spread northwards.

For many parts of Scotland, Monday is dawning dull and cloudy with outbreaks of rain and drizzle, the wettest conditions once again affecting western hills. Further spells of rain and drizzle can be expected through the day, although these will gradually become more confined to northern and western Scotland. Elsewhere, particularly across southern Scotland, there will be an increasing chance of some brighter intervals developing as the afternoon progresses.

Meanwhile, across the rest of Britain and Ireland, it is a largely dry start to the day, although there are patches of low cloud around bringing the odd spot of drizzle in places. The July sunshine will soon get to work, lifting and dispersing much of the low cloud to leave a fine day with plenty of sunshine for many. At times the sunshine may turn a little hazy as areas of high cloud drift across while some stubborn low cloud could linger around a few western coasts.

There will once again be a marked contrast in temperatures across the country. Maximums will struggle to reach 14°C to 17°C across the dampest parts of northern and western Scotland, while brighter areas of Scotland and Northern Ireland can expect 20�°C to 23�°C. Further south, it will feel increasingly warm, with highs of 25°C to 29°C widely across England and Wales, and one or two locations around the London area could edge into the 30°C to 32°C range.

Very little changes as we move into tonight and through Tuesday. Northern parts of the British Isles will continue to see extensive cloud with further outbreaks of rain and drizzle, especially across western and north-western Scotland. Further south, however, high pressure remains in control, bringing largely dry weather with clear or sunny spells by day and pleasantly warm conditions. Temperatures will continue to creep upwards as we head through the week, with another spell of very warm, and locally hot, weather on the cards across central and southern Britain.

METEOROLOGIST : BARBER