Rain and severe gales to hit UK this weekend

The UK is bracing for a weekend of rain and strong winds as temperatures plummet following a record-breaking start to April.

The country experienced one of the hottest April days in history on Wednesday, when 26.6 degrees was recorded at Kew Gardens in south-west London.

The Met Office said it was the hottest day of 2026 so far and was also the second hottest day recorded in the first half of April. The warmest ever April 7 was recorded on Tuesday, reaching 24.8C at Mona on the Welsh island of Anglesey.

It was also warmer than some holiday hot spots like Ibiza and Rome.

However, temperatures cooled in much of the country on Thursday, approaching seasonal norms of 10-14C ​​as cool westerly winds brought cooler air from the Atlantic, setting the mood for the coming weekend.

Friday will start with sunny weather for many, but will quickly become unsettled later in the day as rain and winds spread across western areas. Temperatures are expected to reach around 13 degrees in the south-east, with a top temperature of 11 degrees across much of the rest of England.

Coastal winds are expected to become gusty overnight and forecasters say it could reach up to 54mph on the east coast of Scotland.

It will rain in the central and eastern regions on Saturday morning, and strong winds are expected across the country until the afternoon. Forecasters say there will be heavy showers in Northern Ireland and Western Scotland and temperatures will be around seasonal averages.

The weather forecast will be mixed on Sunday, with both sunshine and showers expected across the country. Strong winds are expected in the west, especially in coastal areas, and temperatures are expected to be around 13-14C.

After a cool start to next week, temperatures are expected to rise slightly.

Today:

Dry with sunny spells to start. In the far north, showers are losing effect. Cloudiness will increase, rain will later spread to the western regions, and gusty winds and coastal storms will strengthen in the northwest. Temperatures near average, overall conditions cooler in the northwest.

Tonight:

The rain will be locally heavy at first in the west and will move eastwards. This is followed by clear skies and showers in the west, with the local countryside beginning to cool with frost as the winds ease in places.

Saturday:

It is raining in the central and western parts, and clear towards the east. This is followed by heavy showers in Northern Ireland and Western Scotland. Windy with coastal storms in the west. Temperatures are close to seasonal averages.

Outlook from Sunday to Tuesday:

Sunny and showers will be effective on Sunday, becoming more severe towards the west. Monday sees more showers with light winds. Tuesday is more cloudy and rainy in the south, brighter elsewhere. Sometimes windy, temperatures near normal.