After a taste of very warm spring weather for some this week, conditions are set to change through the weekend as cooler air and unsettled weather return.
While it will not be a complete washout, many areas will see showers at times, and the feel of the weather will be noticeably different compared to the warmth experienced recently. Blustery winds in particular will add a cooler edge, especially in exposed locations.
The bigger picture
Through Friday and into the weekend, the weather pattern across the UK becomes more changeable. High pressure, which has been responsible for the recent dry and warm spell, slips away to the south. At the same time, areas of low pressure move in from the Atlantic, bringing bands of rain, stronger winds and more frequent showers. The contrast between these weather systems will lead to marked regional differences, especially between the north and west and the south and east.
Friday: mainly dry for many, rain arriving later
Friday begins on a quieter note for most. High pressure nearby will allow a largely dry day across much of England, Wales and Scotland, with variable cloud and some brighter spells developing. It may feel slightly chilly first thing, particularly in rural spots, but temperatures will recover through the day.
However, conditions will start to change later, especially for Northern Ireland. A band of rain associated with an Atlantic front pushes in from the northwest, bringing wet and increasingly windy conditions here by the afternoon. Elsewhere, cloud will gradually thicken from the west during the evening as the rain edges closer.
Still very warm across southeast England this afternoon, with temperatures around 22–23 °C, and locally 24–25 °C in parts of East Anglia and Kent
— Met Office (@metoffice) April 9, 2026
For most areas though, highs are 8–10 °C lower than yesterday, with temperatures returning closer to average over the coming days pic.twitter.com/kmVcYn9wgf
Friday night into Saturday: wind and rain move through
Overnight into Saturday, rain spreads further east across western parts of England, Wales and Scotland. In the north and west, the rain may be heavy at times and accompanied by strong to gale-force winds, particularly along coasts and over higher ground. Gusts could be strong enough to cause some disruption in the most exposed areas.
Despite the more unsettled conditions, temperatures overnight will generally remain relatively mild, not falling as low as the previous night thanks to cloud cover and stronger winds.
Saturday: rain clearing, then showers
Saturday starts wet and cloudy for many parts of the UK as a band of rain continues to move eastwards. For much of England and Wales, the more persistent rain is expected to clear by around midday, allowing brighter spells to follow. However, for parts of northern Scotland, including Orkney and Shetland, rain is likely to linger for longer into the afternoon.
Behind the clearing rain, the weather turns showery. Sunny intervals will develop, but these will be interspersed with showers, some of which could be heavy. A few showers may become thundery, and hail is possible in the strongest downpours. Winds will gradually ease compared to overnight but will remain blustery, especially near showers, adding to the cooler feel.
Temperatures on Saturday will be closer to the seasonal average, a noticeable drop from the recent warmth. In any sunshine and sheltered spots it may still feel pleasant, but frequent gusts will limit how warm it feels.
Saturday night: showers continue in the north and west
As Saturday evening turns into night, showers will continue for many, particularly across northern and western areas where winds also stay brisk. Some of these showers could be heavy, and where several pass over the same area, rainfall totals may build up, possibly leading to localised issues.
READ MORE: 10-day trend: Cooler and more unsettled weather on the way
Further south and east, conditions become drier and clearer for a time, with lighter winds. Here, temperatures may fall a little lower overnight, leading to a cooler start to Sunday morning.
Sunday: another blustery and showery day
Sunday brings a similar theme to Saturday, with a mix of sunny spells and showers for most parts of the UK. Early on, eastern and south-eastern areas are more likely to start dry with some brightness. Elsewhere, cloud breaks will allow sunshine at times, but showers will develop widely as the day goes on.
Some showers may be heavy and again could turn thundery, with small hail possible. Winds remain brisk, strongest across the north and west where low pressure remains nearby. This will make it feel cooler than temperatures alone might suggest.
Compared to Saturday, temperatures may be a degree or so higher for many areas, but the wind will continue to limit the sense of warmth, particularly in exposed places.
Looking ahead beyond the weekend
Later on Sunday and into Monday, the influence of low pressure gradually weakens as it drifts further north. A tentative ridge of higher pressure develops, helping to reduce wind strength and calm conditions somewhat. Even so, showers remain possible as the new week begins, especially in western areas, with some eastern regions also at risk.
Further ahead, there are signs of more settled conditions at times, particularly toward the south and east, while the north-west is more likely to see further spells of wetter and windier weather. As always at this time of year, the detail will become clearer as the coming days draw nearer.
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