As we head into the weekend and the bank holiday period, high pressure will be the dominant feature across the UK, bringing settled conditions for most.
While it isn’t a bank holiday weekend everywhere, Scotland being the exception, the influence of high pressure will extend nationwide, ensuring a largely dry and bright outlook.
The centre of high pressure is gradually edging in from the west, suppressing the influence of weak weather fronts attempting to push through. These fronts may introduce some cloud cover, so it won’t be wall-to-wall sunshine. Nonetheless, the overall picture is one of stability, with dry conditions prevailing across the country.
Saturday: dry and bright with patchy cloud
Saturday will begin with sunny spells in many areas, although cloud will build through the day. In regions where the morning starts grey, there is hope that cloud will break up to allow brighter intervals. The cloud may be thick enough in places—particularly under lingering frontal influence—for the odd light shower, but the vast majority of locations will remain dry.
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Winds will be light, especially along the east coast where they have been persistent throughout the week. This easing will contribute to a warmer feel, with temperatures reaching 19–20°C widely and up to 22–23°C in southern areas. The sunshine will play a key role in how warm it feels, with clearer skies allowing temperatures to climb further.
Sunday: continued settled conditions
The high pressure remains in place through Saturday night and into Sunday, although it begins to drift into the North Sea. Once again, weak fronts will try to push in from the west but are expected to fail, leaving much of the UK under the influence of sinking air and stable conditions.
Cloud cover will be variable and difficult to pinpoint, but where it breaks, sunshine will lift temperatures into the low to mid-20s. Southern areas may see highs of 24–25°C, with Scotland and Northern Ireland also experiencing temperatures a few degrees above the mid-month average. Winds will remain light, though a gentle breeze may develop across southern coasts.
Bank holiday Monday: warmer and sunnier
Monday is expected to be the warmest day of the weekend, with temperatures reaching 25–26°C in the south and low 20s more widely across northern regions. Sunshine will become more widespread, contributing to a pleasant and summery feel for most. While Scotland does not observe the bank holiday, the rest of the UK can expect blue skies and warm conditions.
A slight increase in breeze is possible across southern areas, but it will not detract from the overall fine weather. Cloud may bubble up in places, potentially thick enough for a very light shower, but these will be isolated and short-lived.
READ MORE: 600-mile rainstorm? Hotter than Ibiza? Met Office weather headline review
Looking ahead: Atlantic system may bring change
Out in the Atlantic, a weather system, formerly Hurricane Erin, is being closely monitored. By Monday, it will no longer be a hurricane but will remain a significant area of low pressure. Its exact track and evolution will influence UK weather into next week.
As Erin moves northwards across the mid-Atlantic, it is expected to generate large waves and powerful swell, particularly affecting western coastal areas. While this may be welcomed by surfers, it could also pose hazards for beachgoers and coastal communities, especially in the southwest where holiday activity is high.
EFI (Extreme Forecast Index) products continue to highlight the potential for unusually large waves, though precise wave heights will depend on Erin’s trajectory, which has recently trended further north and west.
In summary, the weekend and bank holiday period will be characterised by dry, settled weather under high pressure. While cloud cover will vary, sunshine will break through in many areas, lifting temperatures and providing a warm, pleasant feel. Monday looks to be the warmest and sunniest day, with only minimal risk of showers. Coastal conditions may become more hazardous into next week as the remnants of Erin approach, but for now, most places are set fair, dry, and bright.
Keep up to date with weather warnings, and you can find the latest forecast on our website, on YouTube, by following us on X and Facebook, as well as on our mobile app which is available for iPhone from the App store and for Android from the Google Play store.
