The Met Office has released its latest weather forecast for July, warning of wet and colder conditions across the UK.

Maps indicate that temperatures could drop as low as a chilly 3C in some areas, bringing a chillier start to the summer month than many might have hoped for.

The forecast period from Wednesday, July 3 to Friday, July 12 is expected to feature changeable conditions, with occasional bands of rain moving in from the west or northwest.

Despite these rainbands, there will still be spells of dry, warm, and settled weather, particularly in the south and east where winds are expected to be lighter.

Conversely, the north and west will likely experience breezier conditions, with heavier rain over hilly areas.

Cloud cover will vary across the UK, with cloudier weather anticipated in the north and west, while clearer skies are expected in the south and east.

Temperatures during this period will hover around or slightly below average for this time of year.

However, on sunnier days with lighter winds, it will still feel warm or rather warm.

Looking ahead to the period from Saturday, July 13 to Saturday, July 27, the weather is expected to remain rather changeable initially.

This means a mix of unsettled, cloudy, and wet weather, interspersed with spells of dry and fine conditions.

Weather systems are predicted to approach predominantly from the west, making the west of the country more likely to experience the wettest conditions, while the east remains relatively drier.

By mid-July, there are indications of more settled conditions developing, leading to an increase in dry weather, although there remains a risk of rain or showers at times.

Temperatures are expected to start close to average, but there is a greater chance of warmer than average conditions later in the month.