The UK is bracing for a wet and windy start to the weekend, with rain and gusty conditions expected across much of the country before the weather settles into sunnier spells by Sunday. This comes after the Met Office confirmed that summer 2026 was the hottest on record for the UK, with average temperatures reaching 16.5°C between June and August—beating the previous record set just last year. However, temperatures are expected to drop over the weekend, with conditions cooling to between 13°C and 16°C. According to a Met Office spokesperson, Nicola Maxey, unsettled weather is on the way as systems move in from the Atlantic. Rain is expected to sweep southeast across the UK on Saturday, bringing wet and windy conditions, especially in northern and western areas. These showers are forecast to spread across the Midlands, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, and East Anglia, before giving way to sunnier weather by Sunday. Despite the weekend rain, experts warn that the UK is still facing drought conditions in many areas. Prolonged heatwaves and dry spells during the summer left large parts of England and Wales with parched soils, low reservoir levels, and even hosepipe bans. At the peak of the August heatwave, nearly three-quarters of the UK were under drought conditions. Although the rain will help moisten the topsoil, more substantial and sustained winter rainfall will be needed to restore groundwater levels. Looking ahead, forecasters are expecting a typical autumn mix of rain, wind, and sunshine as weather fronts move in from the west. In Scotland, brisk winds and rain are moving across the region today, with showery conditions expected in the northwest later. Northern England will see rain and gusty breezes sweeping eastward today, clearing overnight to bring fine, sunny spells on Friday. Wales will experience persistent rain clearing eastwards overnight, leading to a bright and warm Friday. Southern England will see cloud build with patchy rain today, but skies will clear overnight. Northern Ireland will have brisk winds and heavy morning rain, gradually giving way to showery conditions in the west, with fine, dry weather on Friday before fresh Atlantic rain and winds arrive on Saturday.