Here’s the weather forecast for the May bank holiday weekend after heatwave blasts the UK

Wednesday saw warm temperatures sweep across the UK, with some parts of Britain experiencing the hottest day of the year (Photo: Shutterstock)Wednesday saw warm temperatures sweep across the UK, with some parts of Britain experiencing the hottest day of the year (Photo: Shutterstock)
Wednesday saw warm temperatures sweep across the UK, with some parts of Britain experiencing the hottest day of the year (Photo: Shutterstock)

Wednesday saw warm temperatures sweep across the UK, with some parts of Britain experiencing the hottest day of the year. Temperatures reached as high as 28.2C in Santon Downham, Suffolk.

We can look forward to bright skies and warm conditions for the rest of the week, but there is the chance of light rain and more unsettled weather this weekend.

Here’s what the weather will be like over the bank holiday weekend.

What will the weather be like in the UK for the rest of this week?

Following Wednesday’s hot temperatures, Thursday 21 May will see a mixture of rain, thunder and bright skies.

“Showers or thunderstorms possible over parts of eastern and southeastern England whilst early rain over northern and western UK clears to brighter weather,” says the Met Office.

It will be warm in the far south and east.

Friday (22 May) will see heavy rain in the north, which will sweep east. Cooler, showery weather will then follow, with gales in the northwest.

What will the weather be like this weekend?

This weekend will see a mixture of rain and sunshine throughout the UK.

Saturday (23 May) will be sunny with scattered showers in some areas, accompanied by a peak temperature of 18C in some parts.

It will become increasingly cloudy on Sunday (24 May), with patchy rain in the west. It will remain warm, with a peak of 18C throughout the day.

Bank Holiday Monday (25 May) will see bright sunshine throughout most of the day in some areas, with highs of 21C.

Long-term forecast

Looking further ahead until 2 June, the Met Office says: “The beginning of this period is likely to see a return to more settled conditions, bringing plenty of fine and dry weather, with temperatures recovering to above average.”

However, the northwest of Scotland could still see some more unsettled conditions at times.

It is likely that there may be some outbreaks of rain moving southwards across the UK, accompanied by light winds.

High pressure could build again, bringing plenty of sunshine, calm conditions and above average temperatures, particularly in the south and east of the UK.

There may still be some cloudier skies and rain in parts of the north and west at times.

The Met Office UK outlook for Wednesday 3 June to Wednesday 17 June says: “The generally settled conditions should continue into this period, but may we may begin to see the occasional spell of unsettled weather later on.”