As half of England has officially declared drought following a series of sweltering heatwaves, the nation is desperate to know one thing: when will it rain?

Wednesday served another blisteringly hot day with temperatures recorded above 35C in the hottest areas, marking the seventh time this year that the mercury has rocketed above the mid-30s.

July is set to be England’s driest month on record, as the Environment Agency described the conditions affecting up to 28 million people as a “flash drought”.

But some good news has finally arrived as temperatures are set to take a slight dip towards the end of the week, bringing more average weather for this time of year, and perhaps some rain.

A cold front will sink southwards during Thursday, gradually introducing fresher conditions. Outbreaks of rain and showers, heavy at times, will affect northern Scotland, according to the Met Office.

Paul Gundersen, Met Office chief forecaster, said: “A marked change of weather type is due from the end of the week, bringing more unsettled conditions to the north-west of the UK and temperatures closer to the seasonal average.

“Scotland and Northern Ireland will see cloudier conditions with outbreaks of showery rain, although here too brighter spells are possible.”

Temperatures are expected to be much closer to average across most of the UK from Friday, and even slightly below average for northern Scotland.

Saturday will have a chilly start for many, but there will be lots of dry weather with some sunny spells, although one or two showers are possible.

Mark Sidaway, deputy chief forecaster for the Met Office, said: “The forecast is showing potential for more rain than much of the UK has experienced over the last few weeks. However, it looks as though amounts of rain for many will be fairly modest, and won't balance out the shortfall that we have recorded this summer.

“It’s still possible that some areas of the South will miss out and see little or no rainfall.”

Met Office five-day weather forecast

Thursday

Patchy cloud giving a few early evening showers across south-east England. Clear periods elsewhere. However, some cloud, and breezy in the North and North West, with some showers. Fresher for all.

Friday

Mostly dry in the South and South East on Friday with some warm spells of sunshine. Cooler, with a breeze towards the North and North West, and a scattering of showers.

Saturday to Monday

Remaining breezy with showers in the North on Saturday. Largely dry with warm sunshine further south. Most places dry on Sunday, then showers could break out more widely on Monday.