As we approach the end of August, the weather is set to remind us that summer is drawing to a close.
Monday marks the 1st of September and, for the meteorologically minded, it is the official start of autumn. This weekend, Saturday 30 August and Sunday 31 August, will bring a noticeable shift in conditions, with low pressure systems dominating the charts and a distinctly autumnal feel across much of the UK.
Saturday: a dry and bright start for many, but rain on the way
Saturday will begin on a promising note for much of the country. Many areas, particularly East Wales, the Midlands, eastern England, and a good part of Scotland, will wake to dry and fine conditions, with some sunshine to start the weekend. However, the weather is set to change as the day progresses.
A weather system, which has been lingering to the northwest for several days, will be joined by another area of low pressure as we head into the weekend. By Sunday, this new system will have largely replaced its predecessor, bringing with it a series of weather fronts that will affect much of the UK.
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Ahead of these fronts, a few showers are possible on Saturday morning, especially for Wales and perhaps northwest England. Despite this, many places will remain dry through the early part of the day. As the morning gives way to afternoon, the rain will begin to make its presence felt. Weather fronts will spread rain into Northern Ireland by lunchtime, followed by West Wales. By mid-afternoon, the rain will have reached the central belt of Scotland, much of northwest England, most of Wales, and southwest England.
It is worth noting that, even as rain spreads across western areas, eastern parts of England and the southeast will remain dry for much of the day, although cloud will increase. Northern Scotland will also stay dry and fine until quite late in the day. Where rain does fall, it may be heavy at times, with brighter colours on the radar indicating more intense downpours. Accompanying the rain, winds will strengthen, making for blustery conditions, particularly in exposed western areas.
Temperatures and winds: feeling cooler in the west
Temperatures on Saturday will be close to average for the time of year, but the combination of wind and rain in western regions will make it feel less pleasant. In brighter spots, particularly across eastern England, highs of 21 or possibly 22°C are possible. The far northeast may see temperatures of 19 or 20°C, remaining dry well into the evening. However, as the rain spreads eastwards, even these areas will see conditions deteriorate by the end of the afternoon.
As the evening progresses, rain should begin to clear from Northern Ireland, Wales, and the southwest, although a few showers may linger into the night. Winds will remain brisk, especially in the west.
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Saturday night into Sunday: low pressure takes hold
By Saturday night, a new area of low pressure will be approaching the far northwest of Northern Ireland, edging towards western Scotland by Sunday morning. The tightening of isobars suggests that it could be very windy, particularly along the west coast of the Republic of Ireland, where large waves may be generated.
Sunday: sunshine and showers, but some persistent rain in the north and west
Sunday’s weather will be shaped by the passage of weather fronts, resulting in a mix of sunshine and showers for most areas. However, those closest to the centre of the low pressure system, particularly Northern Ireland and western Scotland, are likely to see a fairly wet day, with more persistent rain possible.
Elsewhere, showers will be hit and miss, moving quickly on the brisk winds. This means it will not rain all day, and there will be some brighter spells in between. Eastern parts of England and northeast Scotland may escape with only a few showers, and a good portion of the day could remain dry in these regions.
Temperatures and outlook: a cool end to August
The breeze will play a significant role in how the day feels, with temperatures dipping when showers pass through. Maximum temperatures are expected to be in the high teens to low twenties across the east, close to or just below average for the end of August. The area of low pressure will continue to influence the weather as we move into the start of next week, bringing further showers and maintaining the autumnal feel.
READ MORE: Met Office weather extremes: What are August's current records?
A changeable weekend
The final weekend of August will see a transition from summer to autumn, with low pressure systems bringing rain, blustery winds, and cooler conditions, especially in the west. While there will be dry and bright spells, particularly in the east, everyone should be prepared for showers and a noticeable drop in temperatures as we move into September.
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