The UK's early May bank holiday weekend is set to see a dramatic shift in weather, with heavy rain and thunderstorms replacing the recent heatwave. After a bright and sunny start for many, conditions will become increasingly unsettled, bringing widespread downpours and a significant drop in temperatures.
Weekend Weather Breakdown
Temperatures reached 25C in eastern England on Saturday, but other parts of the country faced heavy downpours and possible thunderstorms. The weather will remain unsettled throughout the weekend, with temperatures falling below 20C across the country by Monday, ending a long week of warmth for many.
Meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said: "Temperatures are starting to come down but in the sunnier moments it is still above average for the time of year. We are seeing a change to more unsettled weather at the same time."
Rain Forecast
The Met Office has predicted wet weather and heavy downpours in southern parts of the UK across 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 get a "real soaking."
Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge said: "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."
Wet weather will continue on Sunday for many parts of England and Wales, with rain also possible across southern Scotland. The rain should ease throughout the day, with brighter spells developing in certain places, but one or two heavy showers or thunderstorms could still occur. Monday will remain changeable, with lingering cloud and scattered showers across southern and central areas, though these should be lighter and fewer than over the weekend.
Temperature Outlook
The warmest weather over the weekend is forecast for Saturday, with temperatures in parts of England 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."
On Sunday, parts of Wales and southern England can expect temperatures in the mid-to-late teens, while northern areas will see slightly cooler weather. Scotland and Northern Ireland will have a fresher feel overall, with fewer and lighter showers. Temperatures will be near average in northern areas, while parts of the southeast could still feel fairly warm where cloud breaks occur later in the day.
By Monday, temperatures in the low teens are forecast for some parts of northern Scotland. The north and north east will feel fresher and cooler, with light to moderate winds and temperatures close to average. The north of England could see average highs of around 15C, while southern England may reach 17C.
Detailed Met Office Forecast
This Evening and Tonight
Widespread and at times heavy rain will spread northwards across much of England and Wales, with conditions becoming drier later in the far south. Cloudy across Scotland, with showers across Northern Ireland, these slowly easing. Remaining mild overnight.
Sunday
Persistent rain pushing northwards, lingering across northern England. Sunshine and showers, locally heavy, breaking out in the south, with the driest and brightest conditions across northern Scotland.
Outlook for Monday to Wednesday
Fewer showers around on Monday, though some could be heavy and thundery. Turning cooler into early next week with a mix of sunny spells and showers, but these generally lighter than the weekend.
