UK weather: Chances of another mini-heatwave seem slim as heavens open

Add to My Stories Share Anyone who is planning a summer staycation will have their fingers crossed that last weekend's wet weather is not a sign of things to come.The chances of the UK basking in another mini-heatwave seemed slim after some parts of the country had more than an inch and a half of rain in 24 hours after the heavens opened on Sunday.And forecasters say there are more showers on the way after rain stopped play at Queens Club in London and turned the Isle of Wight Festival into a mud bath.

Glorious mud: A festival goer can afford a smile despite the sodden conditions on the final day of the Isle of Wight Festival

The music fan and her friend were not prepared to let the rain stop them enjoying themselves Music fans on the Isle of Wight were caught up in the deluge as the three-day festival drew to a close.And yesterday's rain washed out the tennis final at Queens Club in London featuring Andy Murray. It has been rescheduled for today.

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Meanwhile, walkers on the Dorset coast we almost washed away as the stormy weather produced huge waves that crashed into the sea wall.Unfortunately, the heavy rainfall is not enough to staveoff fears of poor harvests and hosepipe bans. For that to happen, a much more prolonged period of heavy rain is necessary.

It's behind you: A huge wave looms amid driving rain in Lyme Regis, Dorset, yesterday

! Enjoying it? A group walk along the sea wall at Dawlish, Devon, as they are battered by 20 foot-plus wavesConditions are expected to turn warm anddry today, and although the unsettled showery weather will be back later in the week, the eastern areas of England that need rain the most will get only a little.A Met Office spokesman said that the south-west received the biggest deluge yesterday, with the 1.4in (36mm) seen in Plymouth typical.
Most places saw quite a lot of rain on Sunday, he added. I expect the unsettled conditions to return from Wednesday.

Rain check: Festival goers struggle through the mud during the final day of the Isle of Wight Festival

Singing in the rain: A reveller at the Isle of Wight festival