Anyone holding a street party to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee this weekend will be praying for warm weather and blue skies - but they could be disappointed.
Brits endured drizzly rain this week in the run-up to the bumper bank holiday, and while the worst may have passed the forecast remains a mixed bag.
On Friday, eastern areas are likely to enjoy the most sunshine with temperatures hitting 25C. The west is set to brace itself for some heavier showers though, with the odd dash of rain coming to more central areas.
Saturday is when the forecast is looking a little uncertain, the Met Office warns. Settled weather is on the cards for most northern areas but there will still be patchy clouds mixed with sunny spells.
Some southern and central areas, however, could turn thundery due to a plume of warm air coming across from the continent and temperatures are expected to drop across the weekend.
Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Rebekah Sherwin said: “It may be an unsettled start to the long weekend for some with showers for Northern Ireland, Wales and western England.
"However, many parts will see much more settled conditions, with plenty of dry weather and good spells of sunshine.
"Temperatures could reach 25C in the south on Friday, although this will likely be the warmest day and later in the weekend the highest temperatures are likely to be in the northwest.
“A plume of warm air, currently across the continent, then pushes north over the UK through the weekend.
"There remains some uncertainty on how far north it will stretch but southern areas are likely to see a spell of showers on Saturday and Sunday, which could turn heavy and thundery at times. However, there will also be some breaks in the cloud even here, and northern areas are most likely to stay fine and dry.
“Northern Ireland, Scotland and northern England look like they’ll see the driest conditions from Saturday onwards, most likely enjoying some prolonged periods of sunshine.”
It'll take more than a bit of rain to dampen people's spirits though with more than 16,000 street parties expected to be held over the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend.
Councils across England received a "huge number of applications" from residents keen to join in the celebrations.
The special occasion kicked off today with the Trooping the Colour as Queen Elizabeth II beamed at the crowds, with the Royals enjoying the spectacular Red Arrows flypast from the Buckingham Palace balcony.
The Trooping the Colour parade featured 1,500 officers and soldiers and 250 horses as thousands of royal fans went into London to soak up the atmosphere.
Bank Holiday weekend forecast
Friday:
Dry with bright or sunny spells for many. Cloudier in the west with showers or rain at times. Warm for many, especially the south, but some North Sea coasts cool.
Outlook for Saturday to Monday:
Fine and dry with plenty of sunshine across much of the north. Cloudier with showers in the south, some heavy and thundery at times.
