May bank holiday forecast revealed by Met Office with warnings over heavy rain – but there’s some good news
FORECASTERS have revealed Brits should prepare for heavy rain this bank holiday.
The Met Office predicts “unsettled” weather for the long weekend as millions head off on staycations.
However, it’s not all bad news – as there is some sunshine on the cards.
Deputy Chief Meteorologist Mark Sidaway said: “There continues to be uncertainty around the track of a low-pressure system which is expected to cross the southern UK this weekend, meaning there is some uncertainty about some of the forecast details.
“While it will remain unsettled with further showers or longer spells of rain, all areas should see some drier conditions at some point and, in any sunshine, it should feel quite warm.
“But for the exact details for your area stay up to date with forecast over the coming days.”
It comes as today is set for a tea-time meltdown as a holidaymakers’ rush clashes with office workers and after-school traffic.
Around 16million drivers are expected on roads that day, data trends show.
RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said: “It’s looking like a Frantic Friday, with getaway, school and commuter traffic building into the evening.
“Major trunk routes will be congested, with Saturday also busy.
“And after such miserable cold temperatures recently, drivers are ready to make the most of any better weather.
“And after such miserable cold temperatures recently, drivers are ready to make the most of any better weather.
“Expect many more people on roads on days temperatures rise.”
The AA warned of Friday snarl-ups at hotspots including the M25 at J11 in Surrey, the M1 at J11 near Luton, the M5 at J18 near Bristol, the M6 from J4a to J8 around Birmingham, and the M60 at J9 and J10 near the Trafford Centre.
The RAC said Bank Holiday Monday’s train drivers overtime ban – set to see hundreds of services cancelled – will force more people into their cars.
Mr Dennis added: “People are concerned about rail strikes, so some of those rail journeys planned for Monday will end up on the road instead.”
Meanwhile 487 rail engineering schemes costing £75million will also see major disruption.
The west coast mainline – the busiest route in Britain – will have no trains from London or Glasgow on Sunday, with services slashed on Saturday and Monday.
Other works will hit journeys near Liverpool, Crewe, Wigan, Coventry, Cambridge and Southampton.
Network Rail‘s Anit Chandarana said: “We’re investing in making the railway more reliable.”
10,000 trains and two million passengers’ journeys are set to be cancelled by ASLEF train drivers’ strikes at 16 operators on May 7, 8 and 9, analysis of rail industry figures indicates.
And an overtime ban, which sees services axed at the last minute, runs from Bank Holiday Monday on May 6 until May 11.
Network Rail said: “Some operators will not run any services on strike days, and the overtime ban may lead to short-notice cancellations.”
Heathrow passengers face passport control delays in the run-up to the holiday weekend as 300 Border Force staff strike from Monday to Thursday.
Heathrow said: “Longer queue times may be experienced.”
Ferry passengers are set for 60-minute queues at Dover as up to 15,000 cars sail to France over the extended weekend.
