As another dry April draws to a close, rain arrives from the northwest for the weekend, but not much for the southeast, Some warm sunshine on offer today for England and Wales before cloud and some rain reaches all parts Sunday.
It’s been dry for a while, for many dry since the Easter Weekend, thanks to blocking high pressure close to the north. The third dry April in a row, UK seeing 61% of the average rainfall up to the 28th, England only 41% of the average. Not as dry April 2021 or 2020.
But along comes a Bank Holiday Weekend and change of month and we see the threat of rain for some, as high pressure retreats and low pressure moves in from the northwest. Not much rain for parched southern and eastern areas, but certainly for Scotland and N. Ireland it could be heavy at times later today and into tomorrow morning, with perhaps some heavy rain spreading south into northern England and Wales. Outbreaks of rain will become confined to Wales and SW England on Sunday, cloudy with the odd spot of rain or drizzle elsewhere. Bank Holiday Monday’s looking mostly dull with scattered showers here and there.
Some much-needed rain on the way this weekend, but mostly across north and west, very little for the southeast
A frosty start across England and Wales this morning, temperatures fell as low as -3.3C at Benson in Oxfordshire, -3.2C at Sennybridge in Wales. But at least some sunshine here, a cloudier start across Northern Ireland, northern and western Scotland – with some outbreaks of rain.
The rain in the far northwest at breakfast time will extend southeast across Scotland and on into NW England later this afternoon. Half an inch of rain potentially falling as the rain moves through these northern and western parts. A different story for the rest of England and Wales, mostly clear skies for much of the day with plenty of sunshine, a better day for eastern England – where it has been rather cool and cloudy the last few days. Turning cloudier across north Wales – with the odd spot of rain arriving by evening. Cool under the cloud and rain across Scotland and N. Ireland this afternoon, reaching 11-12C at best. But in the sunshine across England and Wales – reaching 15-18C.
Cloud and rain will spread southeast across Wales, northern and western England this evening and overnight – as a weakening low sinks south across the west. Drier and clearer conditions spreading down across Scotland and N. Ireland, SE England and East Anglia staying dry. Much milder night, especially for England and Wales.
Sunday a different story for England and Wales, cloudy skies bringing outbreaks of rain spreading south across Wales, west Midlands and SW England, patchy light rain or drizzle further east. Brightening up through the morning across Scotland and N. Ireland, with sunny spells and a few scattered showers developing through the day. Temperatures reaching 15-16C across central belt and Belfast, 13-15C further south across England and Wales under the cloudier skies.
Bank Holiday Monday’s looking generally rather cloudy, with scattered showers developing in places, many staying dry through. Where the sun does appear - it will feel pleasantly warm in the generally light winds. Temperatures reaching 15-18C in the south, 12-15C in the north. Cool in the far north with a northerly wind.
Looking showery Tuesday and Wednesday, with shallow low pressure across the UK, winds will be light – so showers will be slow-moving and locally heavy, but they will be hit and miss, so many places will stay dry. Some pleasantly warm sunshine around too. Possibly further showers developing across some southern areas and far north on Thursday and Friday, but generally becoming drier and sunnier, as a ridge of high pressure builds in from the Azores.
