The United Kingdom is preparing for a weekend of mixed weather, with sunny intervals interspersed with rain showers, as thousands of people head to London for two major protest marches and the FA Cup final. Despite the expected downpours, temperatures are forecast to reach the mid-teens, providing a welcome break from the recent cold spell.
Saturday Weather Details
Met Office forecasters indicate that westerly winds will push temperatures to a high of 15°C on Saturday, with southern regions reaching 17°C and northern areas 16°C on Sunday. A spokesperson noted a chilly start to Saturday, followed by 'hazy sunshine,' particularly in eastern parts of England, which are likely to remain relatively dry.
However, the weather in the capital is expected to be unsettled. Those attending the Unite the Kingdom protest, organised by Tommy Robinson, and the pro-Palestine Nakba Day rally, both scheduled for early afternoon, may experience 'showery bursts.' Meanwhile, thousands more will travel to Wembley for the FA Cup final between Chelsea and Manchester City, kicking off at 3pm.
Evening and Sunday Forecast
As UK musician Sam Battle, known as Look Mum No Computer, participates in the Eurovision contest in Vienna, Saturday evening will see temperatures drop to frosty single figures in some parts of England, with any lingering rain clearing eastwards to the North Sea.
The Met Office predicts that Sunday will bring 'another day of sunshine and showers,' with 10-20 mm of rain expected in some areas of England and a risk of thunder and lightning in the southeast. Forecaster Claire Nasir said, 'We’ll see that rain nudging up towards Orkney as well as Shetland,' adding that 'as we head into lunch time in Northern Ireland, after a dry start here, you’ll see some showers gathering in western parts of Scotland.'
Next Week and Bank Holiday Outlook
A Met Office spokesperson added that areas of low pressure, particularly in western England, will bring windy conditions to the UK next week. However, the late May bank holiday weekend is currently predicted to bring warmer temperatures, thanks to high pressure building in southern parts of England.
In its long-range forecast covering May 18-27, the Met Office suggests that changeable conditions, including rain showers, will 'dominate at first.' It adds: 'As this period progresses, high pressure is likely to begin to build from the south, bringing more settled weather, although with occasional showers. Temperatures near-normal to begin, but tending to recover as the period progresses, perhaps becoming rather warm by the end of the period, especially in the south. Winds will be stronger during the first part of the period, generally from a south-westerly direction, before becoming lighter in line with the more settled conditions.'
