Meteorologists have forecast a mix of sunshine and showers for this weekend as thousands of people across the UK travel to London for major protests and the FA Cup final. Despite the occasional downpour, temperatures are expected to rise to the mid-teens, banishing the recent cold spell.
Temperature Outlook
Met Office forecasters said westerly winds should bring highs of 15°C on Saturday, reaching 17°C in the south and 16°C in the north on Sunday. A spokesperson noted a chilly start to Saturday, followed by hazy sunshine, particularly in eastern parts of England, which will remain relatively dry.
London Weather and Events
The weather in the capital is expected to be unsettled, meaning those attending the Unite the Kingdom protest, organised by Tommy Robinson, and the pro-Palestine Nakba Day rally – both in the early afternoon – may experience showery bursts. Meanwhile, thousands more will travel to Wembley for the FA Cup final between Chelsea and Manchester City, which kicks off at 3pm.
Evening and Sunday Forecast
As the UK’s Sam Battle makes his Eurovision bid in Vienna, Saturday evening sees temperatures drop back to frosty single figures in some parts of England, with lingering rain clearing to the North Sea. The Met Office said Sunday would be another day of sunshine and showers, with about 10-20 mm of rain in some parts of England and even the risk of thunder and lightning in the south east.
Forecaster Claire Nasir said: “We’ll see that rain nudging up towards Orkney as well as Shetland. 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 in southern parts of England.
In its long-range forecast covering May 18-27, the Met Office suggested that changeable conditions, including rain showers, look set to 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.”
