Bank holiday weekend weather forecast: Met Office warn of "thundery showers" arriving in UK
The bank holiday weekend could end up a washout for many as the Met Office predicts heavy and thundery showers are on the way.
Temperatures are set to stay warm this week - but "thundery showers" could hit UK shores by the end of the week and into the bank holiday weekend, forecasters have warned. The Met Office said the UK will see "a mix of spring warmth and increasingly changeable conditions", with temperatures above average in many areas.
However, towards the end of the week, experts said there was a "growing chance of some heavy and potentially thundery showers". Tuesday (April 28) will feel "noticeably cooler for many, with cloud and some patchy drizzle early on, but sunny spells developing widely", a Met Office forecaster said.
"Temperatures will be several degrees lower than Monday across much of England and Wales, though north‑west Scotland and western Northern Ireland could still see highs near 19C," they went on. From midweek, high pressure brings a return to largely dry and fine weather. Wednesday and Thursday will see plenty of sunshine for many, though it will become windier in southern areas, with coastal gales possible in parts of the southwest.
"Later Thursday into Friday, conditions become more unsettled. Rain and showers are expected to spread from the south and west, with the potential for some heavy and thundery bursts. Where sunshine persists ahead of this, it will feel warm and humid, especially in southern and central parts of England."
For the bank holiday weekend, the forecasters said people could expect wetter conditions, with "a more changeable pattern" likely, "bringing showers, as well as sunnier intervals". "This mix of sunshine and showers is expected to remain throughout Sunday and Monday," they added.
Met Office deputy chief forecaster, Tom Crabtree, said: "By Friday, conditions are expected to become more unsettled, with rain and showers spreading in from the southwest, some of which could be heavy and possibly thundery. Ahead of this, it will feel warm and humid in parts of England on Friday, with temperatures potentially reaching 24C in central and southern areas.
"Into the Bank Holiday weekend, the weather looks more changeable, with showers at times – particularly in the north – but also some sunnier intervals. Details will become clearer closer to the weekend, so do keep up to date with the latest Met Office forecast."