The United Kingdom is set to experience a turbulent weekend of weather, with rain, wind, and hail predicted to sweep across several regions. According to the latest Met Office forecast, unsettled conditions will dominate, bringing blustery showers and a noticeable chill, before giving way to sunnier and warmer days early next week.
Weekend Weather Outlook: Cold and Unsettled
On Saturday morning, temperatures are expected to plunge to around 3 to 4 degrees Celsius in towns and cities nationwide, making it feel particularly cold due to accompanying winds. Heavy rain is forecast to hit northern England and Wales initially, before moving across East Anglia and the southeast by the afternoon. Met Office meteorologist Alex Deakin highlighted that temperatures on Saturday will be below average, at approximately 9 or 10 degrees Celsius, with the wind chill making it feel even colder.
Regional Impacts and Hazards
Outbreaks of heavy rain over Scotland on Saturday could bring hail and possible snow on higher ground. By mid-morning, these bands of rain are expected to clear towards the southeast. On Sunday, northern and western parts of the UK will experience wet and windy weather in the morning, with a heavy band of rain pushing steadily through Scotland and Northern Ireland, arriving in northern England and Wales by lunchtime.
Sunday afternoon is predicted to be wet and blustery across most of Wales and England, with potential for hail and thunder. However, a shift is on the horizon, as warmer and drier conditions are forecast to arrive, offering relief from the recent cooler spell.
Brighter Days Ahead: Temperature Rise Expected
From Monday, temperatures are set to rise to the mid-teens for most of the country, with the southeast of England possibly reaching 17 degrees Celsius by Tuesday. A Met Office spokesperson noted that milder air will move in across the UK from Tuesday, bringing a noticeable change after the recent cooler conditions. Many areas will see temperatures lifting closer to, or slightly above, the seasonal average, particularly in the south and west.
While this will create more spring-like feelings at times, conditions will remain variable, with some cloud and outbreaks of rain, especially further north and west. The outlook suggests that after a weekend of harsh weather, Britons can look forward to a gradual improvement, though it may not be entirely dry everywhere.
Detailed Five-Day Forecast
Today: Cloud and patchy rain will move southeast across central areas before clearing to the southeast later. Brighter weather follows in the northwest with scattered showers, some heavy or wintry over northern hills. Windy in the north and less cold than Thursday.
Tonight: Any lingering rain clears the southeast. Clear spells elsewhere with wintry showers. Later, persistent rain and hill snow reach Scotland, Northern Ireland, and northern England. Windy, colder, with frost.
Saturday: Sunny spells and showers, some heavy and wintry with hail, hill snow, and isolated thunder. More prolonged showers for England and Wales later. Windy and blustery, feeling colder than Friday.
Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday: Sunday rain spreads southeastwards. Brighter later with northern gales and wintry showers. Monday mostly dry, cloudier later with increasing winds. Tuesday mild, cloudy with occasional rain; winds stronger.
