The Met Office warns conditions could take a turn for the worse after the bank holiday weekend with possible “heavy and thundery” showers to hit some parts of the country
A burst of summer-like sunshine this bank holiday weekend could be followed by a sharp and unseasonal cold snap, according to the latest weather maps.
Large parts of the UK are enjoying warm conditions to start the long May weekend, with temperatures reaching around 23C in southern areas and 20C further north on Saturday. But forecasters warn the mild spell may be short-lived.
New maps from WXCharts suggest temperatures could plunge dramatically in the coming days, with some areas potentially dropping as low as -1C. Parts of Aberdeenshire, Newcastle upon Tyne and Lancashire are among the regions that could see the coldest conditions, with May 11 and 12 flagged as particularly chilly compared to the seasonal average.
The unsettled picture begins to develop as early as Sunday. The Met Office says much of England and Wales will see a wet and showery start to the day, with outbreaks of rain also likely across southern Scotland.
Conditions are expected to improve as the day goes on, with brighter intervals developing. However, some heavy showers and even thunderstorms could still break out in places. Afternoon temperatures are forecast to reach around 19C in the south and nearer 15C in northern regions.
Scotland and Northern Ireland are expected to feel cooler overall, with fewer and lighter showers. Temperatures there will sit closer to average for the time of year, while parts of the southeast could still feel relatively warm when the sun breaks through.
Bank holiday Monday looks set to remain unsettled, with lingering cloud and scattered showers across southern and central areas. According to Deputy Chief Forecaster Mark Sidaway, conditions should be lighter than over the weekend, but the weather will stay changeable.
Beyond the bank holiday, a more noticeable shift arrives. Forecasters say it will turn “noticeably chillier” in northern and north-eastern areas from Monday through to midweek, with a mix of sunshine and showers replacing the earlier warmth.
Looking further ahead, the outlook from Thursday, May 7, suggests more mixed conditions. There is potential for drier and brighter spells at times, although outbreaks of rain are likely to develop, particularly in the south and east, before gradually spreading northwards as areas of low pressure move across the country.
