Manchester weather: Temperatures are warming up for the weekend, but there will be thunderstorms first

Temperatures are warming up in time for the weekend, but there are going to be some thunderstorms first.

This afternoon heavy rainshowers are set to soak Greater Manchester.

According to forecasters some areas may experience some thunderstorms.

Later on the storms will clear and we may even get treated to the odd sunny spell.

However, it isn't all doom and gloom with the recent wet and windy conditions clearing up by the weekend.

High pressure is dominating the forecast tomorrow, bringing dry, fine and settled conditions over the next few days.

On Saturday it will be largely dry, with temperatures increasing to highs of around 15C.

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There is the risk there may be the odd patchy spell of rain, but this is mainly just expected in hilly areas.

Forecasters have said the sunny weather will continue into next week, with temperatures gradually increasing to reach highs of 17C to 18C by Wednesday.

It will start getting warmer again by the weekend. (Manchester Evening News)

By the end of next week temperatures may dip slightly, but they will still remain around average for this time of year.

Meteorologists at the Met Office have indicated the second half of May will also be warm and sunny.

Temperatures are expected to be around average or a little above average for the rest of the month.

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Nicola Maxey, spokeswoman for the Met Office, said: "Temperatures are warming up day on day. Clearly there is still a bit of rain around today.

"That can be fairly patchy, but also quite heavy. There may be a bit of thunder with that. There is a remote chance of thunder.

There will be rainshowers on Friday before the sunny spells arrive. (STEVE ALLEN)

"As we go through the afternoon the rain showers may clear, leaving patchy sunshine."

She added: "The situation improves as we go through the weekend. High pressure starts building.

"Tomorrow there will be plenty of sunny spells. There is a risk of the odd shower in the afternoon.

"A bit of cloud will be building at the middle of the day.

"The same again on Sunday. There is no risk of any showers, it will just be a fine and dry day. Mainly a nice, settled, sunny day. Temperatures will be reaching the mid teens as we go through into Sunday.

"And then that continues through Monday to Tuesday, with varying amounts of cloud."

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