Manchester weather: Downpours expected in the south, while the north will bask in sunshine

There will be a north-south divide in the UK's weather this week and for once Greater Manchester will see the best of the sunshine.

Heavy showers are expected in the south of England and will be moving west across the country from Monday onwards.

But forecasters have said in the North West it will remain bright with plenty of sunny spells, while there will be little to no rain.

The settled conditions are expected to continue for most of the week.

However, it will feel slightly cooler compared to recent days due to a blast of air coming in from the North East.

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Temperatures are expected to reach highs of 11C to 12C today and tomorrow, which is only slightly lower than the average of 12.4C for early April.

By the weekend temperatures will drop to below double figures, with highs of around 9C expected.

There could also be some chilly mornings and a bit of frost around first thing, as temperatures overnight plunge to -2C.

The Met Office have said to make the most of the dry conditions for this section of the Easter half term, as rain will be moving in from next week.

Temperatures will start to warm up, but there will also be an increased chance of downpours, showers and blustery winds.

Heavy showers have been forecast for the south of England. (PA)

Nicola Maxey, sspokeswoman for the Met Office, said: "We are looking at a relatively settled week. A bit colder day, but temperatures are getting into double figures.

"There will be plenty of sunshine around today and tomorrow. There are clouds building in the afternoon.

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"Friday will be a cloudy day, but it will be fairly dry and settled all week.

"There is a band of rain across the UK but covering the southern half. In your area it is staying fairly dry and settled all week."

It will be a sunny and dry up until the weekend. (Joel Goodman)

She added: "At the weekend we start to see that cloud building up. And as we go into next week temperatures will start to improve a bit, but as it gets warmer it gets more unsettled with an increased chance of cloud, showers and blustery condtions.

"But as we go through this week there will be sunny spells, and the second half of the week the cloud starts to build.

"This is because air is coming from the North East so that is why we are seeing colder temperatures.

"The average for April is 12.4C - today temperatures in Manchester are 12C. It will be down to about 10C by Thursday and Friday. Saturday and into the weekend around 9C."

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