London is set for a “dismal and damp” start to the bank holiday weekend, with rain sweeping in after one of the driest Mays on record.
The weekend begins with overnight showers continuing into Saturday morning. While temperatures may peak at 21C, it will feel several degrees cooler, according to the Met Office.
Further rain is forecast from Saturday night into Sunday, with temperatures expected to hover around 15C for much of the day. Bank Holiday Monday is also set to turn wet, with showers breaking out in the afternoon and temperatures dipping again.
Met Office meteorologist Alex Deakin said: “Welcome to your bank holiday weekend. It’s a bit of a dull, dismal, damp start — but then, we did need some rain. It’s been a very dry month so far, but for many places, rain and drizzle are on and off to start this long weekend.”
He added: “[Rain] is heading its way out into the North Sea, so most places turning drier through the morning, and quite a few of us brightening up by late morning and into the afternoon. Some breaks in the cloud over the Midlands, eastern England and northeast Scotland.
“Where we do see some breaks, that could just spark one or two afternoon heavy showers... quite a few of us will brighten up after that dull, damp start. It’s not a cold start, certainly warmer than it was this time yesterday. By this afternoon, feeling quite warm and humid at 21 or 22 degrees.”
However, rain is expected to return later on Saturday.
“Rain comes across the Republic of Ireland through the afternoon... and that spreads across many areas again as we go through the night, so another pulse of rain for most of us, some heavy bursts mixed in with that and some gusty winds,” Deakin said. “A pretty mild night, most places holding up in double figures, and some towns and cities staying in the teens.”
He described Sunday as “a bit of a mishmash”, with blustery conditions and patchy showers, but some bright spells likely over eastern and southern England.
“That wind will bring up a fresher feel,” he added. “Might still squeak up over 20 degrees in the southeast, but generally not as humid. That breeze will continue to blow in more showers as we head into Bank Holiday Monday.”
