The UK is bracing for a weekend of rain and gale-force winds as temperatures slump following a record-breaking start to April.
The country experienced one of its warmest April days on record on Wednesday, when 26.6C was recorded at Kew Gardens, southwest London.
It was the hottest day of 2026 so far, the Met Office said, and was also the second-hottest day ever recorded in the first half of April. On Tuesday, the warmest 7 April ever was recorded in Mona on the island of Anglesey in Wales, when 24.8C was reached.
It was also hotter than some holiday hot spots, including Ibiza and Rome.
But temperatures cooled across much of the country on Thursday, settling closer to the seasonal norm of 10-14C as cool westerly winds bring cooler air from the Atlantic and setting the tone for the weekend to come.
Friday will begin with sunny spells for many, but will quickly turn unsettled as rain and winds spread into western areas later in the day. Temperatures are expected to reach around 13C in the southeast, with highs of 11C across much of the rest of England.
Overnight, coastal winds are expected to turn to gales, which forecasters say could reach as high as 54mph on the east coast of Scotland.
Rain will linger across central and eastern areas on Saturday morning, with strong winds expected across the country into the afternoon. Forecasters say heavy showers will follow in Northern Ireland and western Scotland, with temperatures of around the seasonal average.
The weather picture will be mixed on Sunday with both sunny spells and showers forecast across the country. High winds are expected in the west, particularly in coastal areas, with temperatures settling around 13-14C.
After a cool start to next week, temperatures are expected to climb a little.
Today:
Dry with sunny spells to start. Showers in the far north fading. Cloud will increase, with rain spreading into western areas later, bringing strengthening winds and coastal gales, severe in the far northwest. Temperatures near average, colder northwest overall conditions.
Tonight:
Rain in the west, locally heavy at first, edging eastwards. Clear spells and blustery showers follow in the west, turning chilly with local rural frost as winds ease in places.
Saturday:
Rain across central and western areas, but clearing eastwards. Showers follow, heavy in Northern Ireland and western Scotland. Windy with coastal gales in the west. Temperatures near seasonal average.
Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:
Sunny spells with showers on Sunday, heavier further west. Monday sees more showers in lighter winds. Tuesday cloudier south with patchy rain, brighter elsewhere. Breezy at times, temperatures near normal.
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