After most the country found itself in a cold grip over the last few weeks, the mercury is set to rise and brighter conditions lay ahead for most
Brits are set to bask in Bank Holiday sunshine this weekend as parts of the UK could reach highs of 21C, Met Office forecasters say.
After most the country found itself in a cold grip over the last few weeks, the mercury is set to rise and brighter conditions lay ahead.
However, forecasters say there is still a chance some area could see showers and thunderstorms.
Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern said on Friday: “The long weekend is approaching and the weather has finally warmed.
“It is not going to be as cold as it has been for many of us, but not for all.”
Mr McGivern went on: “For southern parts with the sunshine coming through, away from any showers, temperatures (are) reaching 18C to even 20 or 21C.”
But he warned of the possibility of “sharp showers” in Northern Ireland, parts of Wales, the West Midlands and north-west England – with “slow moving thunderstorms” and even hail forming.
Scotland and north-east England were also said to expect “grey and chilly” weather.
Of Sunday, Mr McGivern added: “We are going to see bright spells emerge, temperatures rise, relatively humid air and risk of sharp showers or thunderstorms for some.”
A Met Office video on Twitter called the weather “an improving picture” as the UK heads into the weekend and imports warmer Atlantic air.
Met Office meteorologist Alex Deakin said on Thursday: “It’s a bank holiday weekend and it’s going to get warmer, but it’s been such a cold week that would not be too hard.”
He added that temperatures are “going to be on the rise” and the UK should experience “some reasonably warm sunshine”.
Chris Almond, deputy chief meteorologist, at the Met Office said: “The coming bank holiday weekend itself will be a mixture of brighter conditions and showers.”
Of Monday, Mr Almond said: “The focus for showers is more likely to be the east, with drier conditions elsewhere. Temperatures will be reasonable and above average.”
Drivers planning getaways over the long weekend have been warned of the dangers of not getting enough rest and the risk of falling asleep at the wheel.
The AA commissioned a survey of more than 13,000 UK adults which suggested 12 million trips by road are planned for May Day alone.
Edmund King, AA Charitable Trust director, said: “A quarter of fatal crashes are sleep-related, so drowsiness is one of the most underestimated risks on the roads.
“Crashes involving a drowsy driver tend to be catastrophic.
“If a driver has fallen asleep at the wheel they do not brake before an impact and make no attempt to steer away from a collision.”
Pressure on the roads this weekend will be increased due to disruption to train services caused by Network Rail carrying out more than 600 engineering projects.
UK weather forecast
Today:
Outbreaks of mainly light rain in parts of northwest UK at first moving erratically northeastwards. Elsewhere, bright or sunny spells with some heavy and perhaps thundery showers developing in the west. Chilly across the north and northeast, feeling warm elsewhere.
Tonight:
Clear spells across the south and southeast. Elsewhere becoming increasingly cloudy with some showery outbreaks of rain, heavy in places. Chilly in the north and southeast, otherwise generally mild.
Sunday:
Mostly cloudy with showers in the west and north, some heavy and thundery. Mostly dry and fine in central and southeast England. Feeling warm, especially in the brighter east.
