Low pressure is still in the vicinity of the UK and Ireland today with one system sitting to the north of Scotland and going nowhere fast over the next few days. Meanwhile, a thundery low will be pushing north out of the Bay of Biscay during the course of the next 24 hours or so bringing an increasing risk of some thundery activity to the south and east later on today and into tonight.

Many parts of the country are enjoying a bright or sunny Tuesday morning but cloudier skies are still bringing showers to north-western parts of Scotland and these will continue today, being blown in on a brisk south-westerly wind. Cloud amounts will also increase quite quickly towards the south and southwest of England with showery outbreaks of rain pushing northwards this morning, spreading into central, southern and south-eastern parts of England during the day. Some of these showers could be quire heavy and perhaps thundery, but there will be some brighter spells in-between. The driest and brightest weather is therefore likely to be found across parts of southern Scotland, northern England and the Republic of Ireland although even here the odd shower cannot be ruled out. In the sunshine temperatures will pick up to maximums of 20°C to 22°C, but it will be cooler towards the north with highs in the far north nearer 14°C to 16°C at best.

Eyes will be on developments over and to the south of the English Channel this evening and tonight as thunderstorms look set to break out before pushing northwards across parts of England and Wales. There is still some uncertainty over how widespread any storm activity will be so keep checking back for updates. Meanwhile for Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland it will become clear and cool although showers will continue in the northwest. Wednesday sees early rain and thunderstorms slowly clearing from central and eastern districts with brighter, more shower conditions following on from the west.

METEOROLOGIST: BARBER

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