The Met Office has published its long-range forecast for the UK covering the expected weather for the August bank holiday. The previous bank holiday in late May brought the first of many heatwaves, but that might not be the case for the end of the season according to the latest forecast.
Risk of hail and thunder
Whilst there is the possibility for "brief warm, humid spells", especially in the south of the UK, the Met Office predicts that autumn weather will start early with lower temperatures and a "risk of hail and thunder".
After a lengthy period of hot and dry conditions this summer, rain has made a return to Wales this week with a flooding risk issued for North Wales overnight on Wednesday through to Thursday.
Forecast for the bank holiday week
However, the start of next week from Sunday, August 23 is forecast to remain mostly dry across the UK with a few showers likely in the far north and far southeast. Towards the end of next week, most of the UK will see rain or showers that "may be heavy with a risk of hail and thunder." It is also expected to be breezy or windy at times too.
In contrast to the scorching weather Wales has seen so far this summer, temperatures will fall before the possibility of warm spells make a return.
Temperatures near or below normal
The Met Office forecast from Sunday, August 23 to Tuesday, September 1 states: "This period is likely to start largely dry and settled across the UK, as a ridge of high pressure sets in. A few showers are likely in the far north and possibly the far southeast though. Conditions look like turning increasingly unsettled through next week, as low pressure gradually becomes dominant, squeezing the ridge off to the northeast.
"Most places are likely to see some rain or showers, particularly during the second half of next week, and these may be heavy with a risk of hail and thunder. It may become breezy if not windy at times too. Temperatures are likely to be near or a little below normal overall, with some chilly nights at first, but brief warm, humid spells are possible at times, especially in the south."
