A wet weekend with a promising outlook!
With rumours of a heat wave on the way, we ask Laura Tobin to find out what's in store for us weather-wise this weekend and next week.
We had lovely weather last weekend for the Bank Holiday, with warm sunshine for many and BBQs up and down the country, wedding season is now in full swing and I’m afraid this weekend I’m not the bearer of great news. It’s been a topsy turvy week of weather and the weekend will follow suit with low pressure dominating our weather - rain then showers and a chilly breeze. There is a hint it’ll become more settled towards the end of next week, but I’m not promising a heat wave!
Is there a heat wave on the way?
In some papers this week there have been reports that there is going to be a heat wave at the end of the month for two weeks with temperatures of 82F (28C, an easy one to remember). A heat wave is defined at 5 days where temperatures are 5 degrees above average; this would mean 19 degrees in the north and 23 degrees in the south.
As it’s only the start of May, to forecast with great detail so far in advance with confidence is not possible. The paper that ‘forecast’ this also forecast 100 days of snow at the start of winter and we had the wettest winter on record! It’s likely to get warmer and more settled by the end of the month because that’s what the weather should do this time of year and while we are likely to reach 19 to 23 degrees across the country two solid weeks at this stage looks unlikely. You’ll be the first to know if it changes.
Weekend weather
Friday we are back to sunshine and showers with a breezy day in the south. Friday evening and overnight a band of rain will sweep across the country from the Atlantic bringing a wet and windy night.
Saturday starts wet and windy in the east, the rain will clear England and Wales, however it will linger in Scotland all day where it’ll be grey and cool with rain on and off all day, not a great start to the weekend. Elsewhere it’ll be sunshine and frequent blustery showers, if you stay dry all day you’ll be very lucky. It’ll be windy in the south, so this will move the showers through quickly but also make it feel chilly.
On Sunday we see a slight improvement as the low pressure fills and moves into The North Sea. It’ll be another day of sunshine and showers but they will be less frequent and lighter with a better chance of seeing some sunshine. A northwesterly wind will make it feel cool.
Any improvements next week?
Yes, eventually. Low pressure dominates our weather for the star of the week with sunshine and showers for Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday it’s likely another weather front will sweep across the country. Then through the end of the week and into the weekend there is a signal that high pressure bringing more settled conditions. Drier, brighter and warmer.
Brollies at the ready, but dig out the sunglasses for next week.