While parts of England are perilously close to drought, there is some relief on the way with a return of more widespread rain for the first time in a month for some.

High pressure has been dominating summer, keeping Atlantic systems at bay. This weekend, a weak frontal system will pass through, bringing a change to the dry, calm weather of recent weeks.

From Saturday, a band of rain moves south-east from Scotland and north-west Ireland through Wales into central England, a region which has seen its driest spell in 30 years.

By Sunday, it is expected that the rain will cover much of the UK and Ireland amid generally gloomy conditions, though the strongest of the winds will be felt at the onset of the system Saturday.

This rainfall may be good news for parched gardens and dusty cars, but it won't be heavy or sustained enough to truly help with the drought situation, around 5 to 10 mm of rain is expected over higher ground in northern England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, with up to 20 mm for western Scotland.

Amounts are lower further south and with ground soil having spent over a month baking in the sun it is likely too dry to really absorb much of the moisture.