UK Bank Holiday weather tracker: Torrential rain forecast as heatwave comes to an end
After a bright and sunny start for many this early May bank holiday, the weather will give way to wetter, more unstable conditions next week.
While the temperature is expected to reach 25 degrees in the east of England on Saturday, there will be heavy showers and occasional thunderstorms in other parts of the country.
The weather will remain volatile over the bank holiday weekend, with temperatures expected to drop below 20C across the country on Monday after a long hot week for many.
Meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said: “Temperatures are starting to drop but during sunny spells the temperature is still above average for that time of year.
“We are also seeing a shift towards more unstable weather conditions.”
Live map: UK rain forecast
Wet weather and heavy showers are expected in southern parts of England over the weekend, according to the Met Office’s forecast.
Meteorologist Alex Deakin said: “Areas in the north could be largely dry over the weekend… but there will definitely be showers in the south.
He said some areas in the south of England “could get really wet”.
Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge said: “There is a possibility of very heavy, thunderstorms arriving in southern parts of England on Saturday.
“We’ve got some pretty widespread showers Saturday night and into Sunday and then from Sunday onwards we’ll start to see a cooler influence come in and bring some showers.”
Wet weather will continue in many parts of England and Wales on Sunday, with a chance of rain in southern Scotland. The rain will taper off throughout the day, with brighter skies developing in some places, but one or two heavy showers or thunderstorms may occur.
The forecaster said Monday will remain variable, with clouds continuing and intermittent showers continuing in the southern and central regions. These should be lighter and less frequent than on the weekend.
Live map: UK temperature forecast
The hottest weather of the weekend is expected to be experienced on Saturday and temperatures could reach 25 degrees in some parts of England.
Mr Madge said: “Temperatures will rise considerably in some places on Saturday, possibly 25C, and this is likely to be concentrated in the East Midlands, Nottingham, Leicester, Peterborough and Cambridge.”
The Met Office is forecasting temperatures in the mid to late teens for parts of Wales and the south of England on Sunday, while the north of the UK is expected to see slightly cooler weather.
Scotland and Northern Ireland will experience generally fresher weather on Sunday, with fewer and lighter showers. Temperatures will be near average in northern areas, while parts of the southeast may still be quite warm as clouds break later in the day.
Temperatures are expected to be at their lowest in parts of northern Scotland on Monday. In the north and northeast, the air will feel fresher and cooler, with light to moderate winds and near-average temperatures.
While average temperatures can be seen around 15°C in the north of England, temperatures can reach 17°C in the south of England.
Meteorology weather forecast
Tonight and Tonight:
Widespread and at times heavy rain will spread northward across much of England and Wales, before conditions become drier in the south. It is cloudy across Scotland, and showers are gradually easing across Northern Ireland. It stays light throughout the night.
Sunday:
Persistent rain is moving northwards, continuing across northern England. Sunshine and showers are locally intense, with the driest and brightest conditions in northern Scotland occurring in the south.
Outlook from Monday to Wednesday:
Fewer showers, heavy showers and thunderstorms on Monday. It will be cool early next week with sunshine and showers, but these are generally milder than the weekend.
