The warm weather experienced earlier this week is set to give way to wetter and more unsettled conditions for the start of the early May bank holiday, disappointing millions of Britons planning to travel for the long weekend.
Weekend Weather Overview
While temperatures may reach 25C in eastern England on Saturday, other regions will experience showers, with possible thunderstorms. The weather will remain changeable throughout the bank holiday weekend, and temperatures are expected to fall below 20C nationwide by Monday.
Met Office deputy chief forecaster Tom Crabtree stated: “By Friday, conditions are expected to become more unsettled, with rain and showers spreading in from the southwest, some of which could be heavy and possibly thundery. Into the Bank Holiday weekend, the weather looks more changeable, with showers at times – particularly in the north – but also some sunnier intervals.”
Rainfall Predictions
The Met Office has forecast wet weather and heavy downpours in southern parts of the UK over the weekend. Meteorologist Alex Deakin noted: “Northern areas may well be largely dry through the weekend...but certainly in the south there will be showers.” He added that some areas in southern England could receive a “real soaking.”
Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge explained: “On Saturday, we've got the prospect of some quite heavy, thundery showers coming…into parts of southern England. We've got quite widespread showers overnight Saturday and into Sunday, and then we'll start to see from Sunday onwards, a cooler influence coming in, bringing some showers.”
Temperature Forecast
The warmest weather over the weekend is expected on Saturday, with temperatures in parts of England potentially reaching 25C. Mr Madge said: “For Saturday, in some places, temperatures will get quite high, possibly 25C, and that's likely to be centred in places in the East Midlands, Nottingham, Leicester, Peterborough, and Cambridge.”
The Met Office forecasts temperatures in the mid-to-late teens on Sunday for parts of Wales and southern England, while northern areas will see slightly cooler conditions. On Monday, low teens are expected in parts of northern Scotland, with northern England reaching around 15C and southern England up to 17C.
Five-Day Forecast
Today: Once low cloud clears in the northeast, it will be a fine, settled day with plenty of sunshine. Cloudier in parts of the southwest with some rain in Cornwall. Still rather windy and warm, but cooler along windward coasts.
Tonight: Some rain in the southwest, parts of Wales, and Northern Ireland. Otherwise a dry and clear night. Chilly in the northeast, but warm in the south and west.
Friday: Showers in the west and southwest will spread northeastwards, turning heavy in places with some thundery bursts. Much warmer in the east with some sunshine. Humid in the south.
Outlook for Saturday to Monday: Some unsettled weather for the bank holiday weekend with showers and spells of rain. Thunderstorms possible. Many will see some brighter interludes, and it will continue to feel humid.
