Parts of the UK could see more than a month’s worth of rain over the weekend, forecasters have said.

       Areas of northern and south west England, west Wales and southern Scotland are expected to see heavy rain starting Saturday, with some parts expected to see around 80mm in 48 hours, according to forecasters at Sky News.

       That compares to the average of around 82mm of rainfall across the UK for July.

       The UK is currently stuck in a band of low pressure due to the position of the jet stream around the English Channel, which is also bringing heatwave temperatures to Europe.

       As of last week England had averaged 65mm of rainfall for the first half of July, around 10 per cent above the long-term average.

       A Met Office spokesman said: “July is a variable month for rainfall and the rainfall is typically driven by thunderstorms and summer downpours.

       “We have a less typical pattern currently with successive areas of low pressure bringing bands of more frontal rain.”

       Conditions could improve by Sunday, as breaks in the cloud will mean temperatures potentially approaching the mid-20s, although rain showers are still expected.

       The unsettled weather is not expected to lift until at least mid-August, when temperatures may return to more average levels for the time of year.