The week ahead brings a varied spell of weather across the UK, with an unsettled start gradually giving way to warmer and, for many, drier conditions
While there will be plenty of showers and periods of rain early on, temperatures are set to rise, with some areas seeing their warmest conditions of the year so far by the end of the week.
Early week: low pressure brings rain and showers
The early part of the week is dominated by an area of low pressure moving in from the west, bringing bands of rain and blustery conditions. Rain spreads eastwards into Tuesday, producing a wet start for many, with the rain band gradually pushing into northeastern areas and lingering there for a time.
Behind this rain, brighter spells develop but will be accompanied by frequent showers. Some of these could be heavy, with the potential for isolated thunderstorms, particularly across parts of eastern and northeastern England during Tuesday afternoon and evening.
Winds will also be a feature of the weather at this stage, with brisk southwesterlies making it feel blustery at times. Despite this, temperatures will begin to edge upwards, with many areas reaching the high teens, accompanied by a mild feel where shelter from the wind and rain is found.
We've got a changeable week ahead with temperatures on the rise 🌡️ pic.twitter.com/2cUfT1IKiO— Met Office (@metoffice) May 18, 2026
Rainfall totals will be notably higher across western and northwestern areas during this period. Parts of northwest England, Northern Ireland and western Scotland are likely to see some heavier and more persistent rainfall at times, while southeastern areas see comparatively less rain after the initial wet spell.
Midweek: a brief lull with brighter conditions
As we move into Wednesday, there is a temporary easing in the unsettled conditions. While low pressure remains nearby, a short-lived lull between weather systems allows for a calmer day overall.
There will be more in the way of sunshine, along with lighter winds for many areas, although northwestern parts of the UK are likely to remain breezier with the influence of the low pressure still nearby. Showers become fewer and lighter compared with earlier in the week, with no significant risk of thunderstorms during this period.
Temperatures continue their gradual rise, with many areas again reaching the high teens, and southeastern parts potentially touching around 20°C where sunshine is more prolonged.
Late week: high-pressure builds and temperatures rise
A more notable shift in the weather pattern begins from Thursday onwards, as high pressure starts to build from the near continent. This change will help to push weather fronts further north and west, allowing southern and eastern areas to turn drier and increasingly warm.
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Thursday itself may still see some rain across Northern Ireland and western Scotland as a weather front lingers here. However, across much of England and Wales, brighter and warmer conditions develop, with increasing amounts of sunshine through the day.
Temperatures respond quickly under this developing pattern, with highs widely reaching into the 20s across large parts of England and Wales. Some areas could see temperatures climbing to around 24°C, particularly where sunshine is sustained and winds take on a more southerly direction.
Friday: widely warm with a few showers
By Friday, many areas will experience their warmest day of the year so far, with temperatures climbing further, especially across southeastern England. Highs could reach the high 20s here, while mid-20s are possible across parts of northern England and Wales.
Despite the warmth, conditions will not be completely settled. There remains some unsettled weather nearby, and a few showers are likely to develop. These are most likely across western areas and, at times, along the south coast of England.
Some of the showers in southern areas could be heavy and potentially thundery later in the day, although many places will remain dry with sunny spells throughout.
Weekend outlook: warm with showers, then turning drier
Looking ahead to the weekend, the warm conditions are expected to continue, particularly into Saturday. However, there will still be a risk of showers, especially across southern and central parts of the UK, where some thundery downpours cannot be ruled out.
As the weekend progresses, high pressure is forecast to become more dominant. This should lead to a gradual reduction in shower activity, with Sunday and into the following Monday likely to see more settled and drier conditions developing for many areas.
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