Unsettled conditions are the main theme of the forecast through much of the week, with low pressure exerting its influence, bringing periods of rain from the west, some of which could be heavy in nature.  

On Tuesday, further rain will move gradually from the south and southwest further north and east, bringing rain for much of the UK at times. Some areas could see 10-20mm of rain as this rain moves northwards, with the possibility of higher totals over high ground. Central areas of England, as well as north Wales and Northern Ireland could see the most persistent rain through the day.  

A warning for rain has been issued for eastern parts of Northern Ireland, from Tuesday evening through to early on Wednesday, with 15-25mm of rain for many, with in excess of 40mm possible for exposed hills in the east.  

Hill snow is also likely to continue for parts of Scotland, though this isn’t unusual for the area at this time of year.  

Increasing winds for some 

Winds will increase for many from Wednesday and into Thursday, with low pressure to the west also bringing some blustery showers for many.  

On Wednesday, most areas will see rain or showers during the day, with the heaviest rain likely in the southwest, and the far north of the UK, with the possibility of some snow over high ground in Scotland at first. The strongest winds are expected in the far north of Scotland on Wednesday, with blustery conditions continuing further south.  

Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Helen Caughey said: “It’s another very unsettled week for much of the UK, with heavy, blustery showers, longer spells of rain and also some strong winds.” 

“In terms of hazards in the current forecast, we’re continuing to keep an eye on some of the expected rainfall totals as they build up through the week, with some places, including Northern Ireland, still quite sensitive to rainfall amounts due to the wet winter many have experienced. We will also need to monitor the winds with the potential for gales to develop around some coastal areas of the north at first, then later for some south and southwestern areas, especially as these may coincide with some high tides.” 

Easter forecast 

While details are still being worked out ahead of the Easter weekend, Good Friday is likely to see another day of blustery showers, with these being more frequent in the south and west.  

Saturday sees a continuation of this showery theme in southern and western areas, though there is an increasing chance of brighter spells further north and east. Sunday looks to be the best day of the week; however, conditions will return to more unsettled from the south later Sunday and into Monday. This will bring a widely unsettled day, at least across southern areas, for Easter Monday, with the best of the conditions, at least to begin, further north. 

Helen continued: “Showers will continue into the weekend, especially for southern and western areas. However, it is likely that we will see something of an improvement for most areas, with showers tending to become less frequent, and a better chance of longer spells of sunshine for eastern and northern areas in particular.  

“It will also become less windy, and temperatures should start to trend upwards, feeling quite warm in any sunshine. However, more widely unsettled conditions look likely to return into Easter Monday, but there is still some uncertainty in the timing of this deterioration.” 

Further details on the Easter forecast will be available with a shorter lead time, so stay tuned to the latest Met Office forecast.  

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Rain on a window