The UK is bracing for a weekend of mixed weather, with periods of sunshine punctuated by showers, as thousands prepare to descend on London for protests and the FA Cup final.
Despite the intermittent downpours, temperatures are expected to climb into the mid-teens, offering a welcome respite from the recent cold spell.
Met Office forecasters predict westerly winds will push temperatures to highs of 15C on Saturday, before reaching 17C in the south and 16C across northern regions on Sunday.
A spokesperson said there would be a chilly start to Saturday, followed by “hazy sunshine”, particularly in eastern parts of England, which are expected to remain relatively dry.
However, the capital's weather is anticipated to be unsettled. Those attending the Unite the Kingdom protest, organised by Tommy Robinson, and the pro-Palestine Nakba Day rally – both scheduled for early afternoon – could experience “showery bursts”.
Meanwhile, thousands more will be travelling to Wembley for the FA Cup final between Chelsea and Manchester City, which kicks off at 3pm.
As the UK’s Sam Battle, otherwise known as Look Mum No Computer, makes his Eurovision bid in Vienna, Saturday evening sees temperatures drop back down to frosty single figures in some parts of England, with any lingering rain clearing away to the North Sea.
The Met Office said Sunday would be “another day of sunshine and showers”, with about 10-20 mm of rain in some parts of England and even the risk of thunder and lightning in the south east.
“We’ll see that rain nudging up towards Orkney as well as Shetland”, forecaster Claire Nasir said, adding “as we head into lunch time in Northern Ireland, after a dry start here, you’ll see some showers gathering (in) western parts of Scotland”.
A Met Office spokesperson added areas of low pressure, particularly in western England, will bring windy conditions to the UK next week.
But the late May bank holiday weekend is currently predicted to bring warmer temperatures, thanks to high pressure in southern parts of England.
In its long range forecast covering May 18-27, the Met Office suggested that changeable conditions, including rain showers, look set to “dominate at first”.
It adds: “As this period progresses, high pressure is likely to begin to build from the south bringing more settled weather, although with occasional showers.
“Temperatures near-normal to begin, but tending to recover as the period progresses, perhaps becoming rather warm by the end of the period, especially in the south.
“Winds will be stronger during the first part of the period, generally from a south-westerly direction, before becoming lighter in line with the more settled conditions.”
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