The UK has experienced a mixture of seasons this week, with conditions ranging from warm and summery to distinctly autumnal.
This weekend may even bring a brief hint of winter across some northern hills, as colder air, brisk winds and lively showers move across the country.
Saturday is expected to be the more unsettled day of the weekend, with showers affecting many areas and strong winds making it feel cooler than the temperatures might suggest. Conditions should improve into Sunday, when a ridge of high pressure brings lighter winds, fewer showers and more widespread dry weather.
An unsettled start to Saturday
Saturday morning may begin on a chilly note, although extensive cloud and a brisk wind should prevent temperatures from falling too far. There may be some brighter conditions across the far south and southeast, but for most areas it will be a changeable start to the weekend.
Showers will move through widely during the day, with northern parts of the UK likely to see the most frequent and intense downpours. Scotland will be particularly prone to heavy showers, with a risk of hail and thunder. There could even be a temporary sprinkling of snow over the highest ground, adding a wintry flavour to the autumn weather.
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Most places could catch a shower at some point, although the far south and southeast will be somewhat sheltered from the most frequent showers by the north-westerly airflow. These areas should therefore see the best chance of longer and brighter spells.
The north to north-westerly wind will be brisk at times, contributing to a colder feel. Temperatures will generally be around average for the time of year, or slightly below in places, but the strength of the wind will make it feel noticeably chillier. Across northern areas exposed to both the wind and showers, temperatures may feel closer to the high single figures.
Showers easing into Saturday night
Further showers will continue into Saturday evening, but they should gradually become fewer as a ridge of high pressure begins to build across the UK.
Some showers will remain possible overnight, mainly around coastal areas and across parts of northern and central England. However, clearer skies are expected to become more widespread, giving many places a brighter start to Sunday than they experienced on Saturday morning.
A fairly brisk wind will continue through much of the night, helping to keep temperatures mostly in the high single figures. The breeze should begin to ease during the early hours, although it will still feel chilly first thing on Sunday.
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A brighter and drier Sunday
Sunday looks set to be the better day of the weekend for many. It will remain fairly breezy at first, but winds should gradually ease through the morning as the ridge of high pressure becomes more established.
There will also be far fewer showers than on Saturday, allowing many areas to enjoy a dry day with some sunny spells. With lighter winds and more sunshine, conditions should feel noticeably more pleasant, despite temperatures remaining broadly similar to the previous day.
Cloud amounts are likely to increase during Sunday afternoon, and an isolated spot of rain cannot be ruled out. Even so, most places should remain dry, making Sunday the best opportunity for outdoor plans.
Rain returning from the west
The quieter conditions may not last for everyone. Later on Sunday, wet and windy weather is expected to begin returning from the west as low pressure approaches.
This will signal another change towards more unsettled conditions as the new week begins, particularly across northern and north-western parts of the UK. Overall, the weekend will offer a mixed picture, with Saturday bringing the strongest winds and most frequent showers before a calmer and generally drier day on Sunday.
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.
