A fine end to the week for many of us – after one of the coldest nights this late in the year. Temperatures dropped to -5C in Altnaharra, northern Scotland making it our coldest point in May since 1997. It’s especially stark given the warm and sunny spring we’ve had – and cold records rarely happenAfter sunny skies to end the week and highs of 22-23C it’s all change as we drift into the long late May Bank Holiday weekend. Temperatures will slide to nearer average, blustery winds will pick up at times and there’ll be some much needed, welcome rain in places – much needed after a remarkable dry stretch.It’s by no means a wash-out – there’ll be a lot of fine dry weather in places with some sunny spells. Given the days are long this time of year there’s always a bit more time for the weather to sort itself out – and for skies to brighten up.
Subscribe free to our weekly newsletter for exclusive and original coverage from ITV News. Direct to your inbox every Friday morning.
Here’s how the weekend is shaping up across the UK:
Saturday:
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:
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:
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.
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.
Just be ready for a bit of everything – and perhaps leave the shorts at home for now.
Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know
