The warm weather seen during the early part of this week is set to give way to wetter, more unsettled conditions for the start of the early May bank holiday, in bad news for the millions of Britons heading away for the long weekend.
While temperatures are expected to reach 25C in eastern England on Saturday, other parts of the country will see showers, with thunderstorms possible at times.
But the weather will remain unsettled throughout the bank holiday weekend, and temperatures are expected to fall below 20C across the country by Monday.
The 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.
“Into the Bank Holiday weekend, the weather looks more changeable, with showers at times – particularly in the north – but also some sunnier intervals.”
Live map: UK rain forecast
The Met Office has forecast wet weather and heavy downpours in the southern parts of the UK across the weekend.
Meteorologist Alex Deakin said: “Northern areas may well be largely dry through the weekend…but certainly in the south there will be showers.
He said some areas in the south of England could get a “real soaking”.
Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge said: “On Saturday, we’ve got the prospect of some quite heavy, thundery showers coming…into parts of southern England.
“We’ve got quite widespread showers overnight Saturday and into Sunday, and then we’ll start to see from Sunday onwards, a cooler influence coming in, bringing some showers .”
Live map: UK temperature forecast
The warmest weather over the weekend is forecast for Saturday, where temperatures in parts of England could reach 25C.
Mr Madge said: “For Saturday, in some places, temperatures will get quite high, possibly 25C, and that’s likely to be centred in places in the East Midlands, Nottingham, Leicester, Peterborough, and Cambridge.”
The Met Office has forecast temperatures in the mid-to-late teens on Sunday for parts of Wales and the south of England, while the north of the UK is likely to see slightly cooler weather.
On Monday, temperatures in the low teens are forecast for some parts of northern Scotland.
The north of England could see average highs of around 15C and the south of England could see temperatures reach 17C.
Met Office weather forecast
Friday
Showers in the west and southwest will spread northeastwards. Turning heavy in places with some thundery bursts. Feeling much warmer in the east with some sunshine. Humid in the south.
Outlook for Saturday to Monday
Some unsettled weather for the bank holiday weekend with showers and spells of rain. Thunderstorms possible. Many will see some brighter interludes though and it will continue to feel humid.
