The weather through the weekend will show a gradual improving trend, as the unsettled conditions of recent days slowly give way to higher pressure.
While the transition will not be instant, especially for northern areas, many parts of the UK will see brighter skies, fewer showers and lighter winds as Saturday and Sunday progress. Temperatures will be closer to average for the time of year, with cooler nights becoming more noticeable under clearer skies.
Saturday: Breezy with showers, brighter in the south
Saturday begins with low pressure still close to the north of the UK, meaning the day will start on the unsettled side, particularly for Scotland and Northern Ireland. A cluster of blustery showers will affect western and central Scotland at times, with some showers heavy and accompanied by a keen wind. The strongest winds are likely across the north‑west and far north, making it feel rather cool despite the time of year.
Further south, showers will be more scattered. Northern Ireland, northern England, the Midlands and north Wales may see passing showers through the day, though many places will also have dry intervals. Across southern England, parts of south Wales and the south‑west peninsula, conditions will be more favourable, with brighter spells and hazy sunshine at times. Cloud will break occasionally, allowing sunshine to lift temperatures.
It will feel noticeably cooler compared with recent days, especially where winds remain strong. Morning temperatures may start close to freezing in a few sheltered northern valleys and glens, while daytime highs are likely to reach the mid to high teens in the south where sunshine develops. Across northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, temperatures are more likely to stay in the low teens.
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Showers will gradually ease through the evening for many areas, though the far north of Scotland is likely to remain exposed to a brisk breeze and occasional showers for longer.
As winds ease and skies clear overnight, temperatures will fall away more readily. A touch of frost is possible in rural areas across much of the UK, particularly where skies remain clear for several hours. Towns and cities will generally stay a little milder, but it will feel chilly nonetheless for mid‑April.
In the far north, especially across Orkney and Shetland, winds will remain strong and conditions more unsettled, with showers or spells of rain continuing at times.
Sunday: High pressure gaining influence
Sunday brings a more settled feel for most as high pressure becomes more influential. Many areas will start the day dry with sunny spells, though there may be some lingering showers across western Scotland and parts of the far north early on. A fresh breeze will persist across northern and eastern areas, most noticeable along exposed coasts.
Elsewhere, cloud will come and go, allowing plenty of hazy sunshine through the day. For much of England and Wales, it will be a largely dry day, with showers becoming few and far between. Any that do occur will tend to be confined to the northern fringes of the UK.
Temperatures will be close to average, with highs generally reaching 13 to 15°C, and perhaps a little higher in the best of the sunshine across the south. Northern Scotland is likely to remain cooler, with temperatures closer to 10 or 11°C, particularly where clouds and wind linger.
Later in the day, some showers may move back into parts of the far north, including Shetland, Orkney and Caithness, possibly edging towards Aberdeenshire and the Moray Firth. However, most of the UK will stay dry through the afternoon and evening.
Temperatures reached 19.6 °C yesterday in Cambridge and further warm spells of sunshine are expected but into next week, temperatures will return closer to average 🌡️
— Met Office (@metoffice) April 16, 2026
We may also start to see an easterly flow develop next week therefore eastern areas may turn rather cool 🥶 pic.twitter.com/v6iMPeR3cF
What to expect overall
By the end of the weekend, the weather will feel calmer and more settled compared with the sharp showers and outbreaks of rain seen earlier in the week. High pressure will not eliminate showers entirely, particularly for northern and eastern coastal areas, but it will significantly reduce their frequency and coverage.
The clearer nights brought about by higher pressure mean cooler temperatures, with the continued risk of patchy frost, especially in rural areas. During the day, sunshine will feel pleasantly warm in shelter, even if the air temperature remains close to average.
Looking ahead to early next week, high pressure is expected to remain close by, bringing further dry weather for many, though the odd shower may still drift in from the north or east at times.
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