Met Office weather: What's in store for the next week?

The UK is set for another largely dry and sunny week, but a shift in weather patterns is on the horizon as we approach the bank holiday weekend.

High pressure, which has dominated the weather for much of May, continues to bring settled conditions early in the week. However, signs of change begin to emerge midweek, with more significant developments expected by the weekend.

At the start of the week, high pressure remains anchored near Iceland, drawing in cooler northerly and northeasterly winds. These winds bring overnight cloud, particularly to parts of Wales and southwest England, though lighter breezes mean the cloud doesn’t penetrate far inland. Tuesday is expected to be mostly sunny for many, with only patchy cloud lingering along the Norfolk coast and northern Scotland. Scattered showers may develop across Wales, northwest England, and southwest Scotland, while southern and western Northern Ireland could see heavier, slow-moving thunderstorms.

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Temperatures rise through Tuesday, likely peaking for the week. While North Sea coasts remain cooler under the influence of northerly winds, inland areas—especially the Midlands, South Wales, and southwest England—could see highs of 23 to 25°C.

Wednesday brings a shift, with increased cloud cover and a growing chance of showery rain across Wales, the southwest, and possibly the southeast. Some showers may turn heavy and thundery, particularly over the Midlands. Northern England and Scotland, however, remain mostly dry, and Northern Ireland enjoys a sunnier, drier day. Cooler air and cloudier skies bring temperatures closer to seasonal averages.

By Thursday, a cold front begins to move southward, introducing cooler air and widespread cloud across northern England, southern Scotland, and eventually the Midlands and southeast. While rain is limited, some showery outbreaks are possible. South Wales, southwest England, and much of northern Britain enjoy brighter, sunnier conditions. Overnight temperatures dip significantly, with rural areas potentially seeing frost.

Friday remains mostly dry and sunny, though cooler, with only a few showers in the east. However, weather fronts associated with low pressure near Iceland begin to push in, bringing thicker cloud and the potential for rain over the weekend.

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The bank holiday weekend looks changeable, with spells of rain, cloud, and breezy conditions expected across the UK. Still, it’s not a total washout—dry and sunny intervals are likely, especially with careful timing. Forecasters advise staying updated as the weekend approaches.

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