Britain could be set for a welcome change in weather, with temperatures potentially soaring into the mid-20s just in time for the late May bank holiday weekend, forecasters have suggested. This optimistic outlook follows a period of distinctly unseasonal conditions.
This week, the nation has grappled with blustery showers and a noticeable chill. The Met Office reported that Wednesday saw temperatures "widely below average, with a brisk north-westerly wind making it feel even cooler for many," with some areas experiencing single-digit figures.
However, early predictions indicate a significant shift by May 25. Met Office meteorologist Annie Shuttleworth, in an online forecast, offered a more promising outlook: "By the end of next week and the start of the bank holiday weekend, temperatures could be above average, possibly in the low 20s for some areas."
The "warming trend" looks likely to progress as there is "going to be a move from low pressure to high pressure dominating" the weather. But Ms Shuttleworth warned "as that is 10 days away, there are some details to work out."
She said there could be high pressure in the east to start the week which then becomes more centred across the UK during the bank holiday weekend. She added: "Whatever position that high pressure brings – all of them bring less cloud, a little bit more sunshine, and lighter winds, which means temperatures will be on the rise through next week."
Temperatures may slowly start to rise from the start of next week. Ms Shuttleworth said: "From Thursday onwards, temperatures could rise above average, approaching 20 degrees for some across southern areas. We could be closer to the mid 20s, possibly, for some areas, in the South East, by the bank holiday weekend."
There is "a little bit of uncertainty" about where the higher temperatures will be, she added.
In its long range forecast covering May 18-27, the Met Office suggests 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."
