The early May bank holiday weekend in the UK will bring a combination of sunshine and showers, following a warm week. Temperatures may reach 24C, but unsettled weather is expected from Friday.

Warm Week Gives Way to Changeable Conditions

The United Kingdom is experiencing a blend of weather as the early May bank holiday approaches. The Met Office forecasts continued spring warmth, with temperatures potentially peaking at 24C (75F) by the end of the week, especially in southern England.

UK Warmer Than European Hotspots

This anticipated warmth would exceed temperatures in popular European destinations like Mallorca (23C), Rome (22C), Faro and Barcelona (both 21C), and Ibiza and Malta (both 19C). This makes the UK an appealing location for a staycation.

Unsettled Weather Arrives Friday

However, this pleasant weather is not expected to last. A shift in weather patterns is anticipated from Friday, as showers move in from the South and West, potentially bringing heavy and thundery downpours.

Sunshine and Showers Over the Weekend

The long weekend will see a more changeable pattern, with alternating periods of sunshine and showers from Saturday through Monday. Many people enjoyed the warm weather today, with the newly opened Queen Elizabeth II Garden in London and punting on the River Cam in Cambridge being popular choices.

Temperature Drop and Midweek Stability

Despite the warmth, showers were already moving south across parts of Scotland and England, with potential thunder warnings in eastern Scotland and central/southern England. Temperatures reached 23C (73F) in southern England today.

Tomorrow will bring a noticeable change, with temperatures expected to drop by around 5C in many areas, accompanied by cloud cover and patchy drizzle, before giving way to sunny spells. This temperature decrease will be felt across much of England and Wales.

Brief Respite Before Further Deterioration

Looking ahead to midweek, high pressure is expected to bring largely dry and settled weather. Wednesday and Thursday are forecast to be sunny, although windier conditions are anticipated in the South. However, this stability will be short-lived.

Weekend Forecast: Rain and Potential Thunder

From Thursday evening into Friday, conditions will deteriorate as rain and showers spread from the South and West, with the potential for heavy bursts. Areas remaining in the sunshine will experience warm and humid conditions, particularly in southern and central England.

Met Office Forecast

Met Office deputy chief forecaster Tom Crabtree explained that conditions are expected to become more unsettled by Friday, with rain and showers spreading from the southwest, some of which could be heavy and potentially thundery. He also noted the possibility of temperatures reaching 24C in central and southern areas on Friday.

Long-Range Outlook: Continued Changeability

The long-range forecast for May 2 to 11 suggests continued changeable conditions, with low-pressure systems influencing the weather across the UK, increasing the chance of showers or longer spells of rain, and potentially strong winds. Dry periods with warm sunshine are still expected, along with a risk of short-lived fog patches.

Temperatures are likely to remain near or slightly above normal, especially in the South East. April 8th marked the UK's warmest day of the year so far, with a temperature of 26.6C (79.9F) recorded at Kew Gardens in London – the warmest day in the first half of April since 1946.