Bank Holiday Weather: UK Set for Blustery and Wet Conditions as Sunny Spell Breaks
A fine end to the week for many parts of the UK, but the weather is set to take a turn for the worse as we head into the long late May Bank Holiday weekend. According to ITV News, after one of the coldest nights this late in the year, temperatures dropped to -5C in Altnaharra, northern Scotland, making it the coldest point in May since 1997.
This sudden drop in temperature is particularly notable given the warm and sunny spring we’ve had, with cold records being a rare occurrence. As ITV News reports, "it’s especially stark given the warm and sunny spring we’ve had – and cold records rarely happen." The cold snap was followed by sunny skies and highs of 22-23C, but the weather is now set to change.
As we drift into the Bank Holiday weekend, temperatures will slide to nearer average, with blustery winds picking up at times and much-needed rain in places. ITV News states that "it’s by no means a wash-out – there’ll be a lot of fine dry weather in places with some sunny spells." However, the weather is expected to be mixed, with a bit of everything, including rain and sunshine.
Saturday’s Forecast
Rain lingering from Friday night will be slow to clear from eastern areas, leaving a lot of cloud around for many. England and Wales will remain mostly dry, but showers and longer spells of rain will push through Scotland and Northern Ireland, with the potential for rumbles of thunder. Despite the gloom, it’ll stay relatively mild, with brighter breaks in the east and muggy air lifting highs to around 20C.
Sunday’s Forecast
The weather takes a fresher turn, with cooler west winds making for a noticeably different feel. It’ll be bright and breezy for most, with sunny skies returning and blustery showers sweeping in from the west. These will be most frequent across Scotland, Northern Ireland, and northern England, though they’re expected to pass quickly. Temperatures will reach 20-21C in the east where it remains drier, but stay closer to 15-16C in the windier west.
Bank Holiday Monday’s Forecast
The final day of the long weekend continues the trend of cool and breezy conditions. Scattered blustery showers are expected, but there will be plenty of sunny spells breaking through, especially in the Midlands and East Anglia, which should stay largely dry. Expect highs of 14-16C generally, with slightly warmer temperatures of 18-19C possible in the south-east.
ITV News concludes that "while it’s no scorcher, the weekend won’t be a washout either." With long daylight hours typical of late May, there’ll be ample opportunity for sunshine to break through, making for a mixed but manageable Bank Holiday forecast. As the news provider notes, "just be ready for a bit of everything – and perhaps leave the shorts at home for now."
