Met Office daily weather: Blustery conditions in the north contrast sunshine and warmth in the south

Blustery conditions in the north contrast sunshine and warmth in the south

Blustery conditions are expected to persist across northern areas on Friday, while southern regions enjoy sunshine and warmth. As the weekend approaches, attention turns to ex-tropical storm Dexter, which could bring a mix of heatwave conditions and unsettled weather.

Friday will bring largely fine and dry conditions across much of the UK, with sunny spells developing through the day. Inland areas may see some convective cloud build-up during the late morning and afternoon, but this is expected to be short-lived.

Northern and northwestern Scotland will be cloudier, with showery rain likely through the morning and early afternoon. These showers should ease away to the north later in the day, although Shetland may continue to see blustery showers, with a small risk of isolated thunder. It will be breezy in northern areas, particularly around exposed coasts.

Temperatures will be near average for the time of year, feeling pleasant in the sunshine and lighter winds across England and Wales. The highest temperatures are expected in eastern, southeastern, and central England, where isolated spots may reach 25 to 26°C.

Most areas will remain dry overnight with clear spells, particularly across southern and southwestern parts of the UK. There is a slight risk of isolated mist or fog patches forming later in the night.

Towards and beyond midnight, cloud and rain, heavy at times, will begin to spread across northern, western, and central Scotland, as well as parts of Northern Ireland. Winds will also strengthen in the north, with coastal gales likely in the far northwest. Southern areas will be cooler than the previous night, while northern regions will see slightly milder conditions. Overnight minimum temperatures will be typical for the time of year, generally in the mid-single figures.

Outlook for Saturday

Saturday will begin with a squally band of rain moving southeast across Scotland. This band is expected to weaken as it progresses, leaving only a few showers by the time it reaches northern Wales and northern England later in the day. Blustery showers will follow into northern Scotland.

Elsewhere, conditions will remain predominantly dry with sunny spells and variable cloud cover. Winds will persist in northern Scotland. Temperatures will range from rather cool in the northwest to rather warm in the southeast.

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Met Office presenter and meteorologist, Honor Criswick, said: The north is where it's set to be blustery through much of Friday. Still some outbreaks of rain, this heavy at times particularly across Shetland and Orne. And those strong winds are set to continue even as we head through into the afternoon.

“But elsewhere across England and Wales, it should be a rather pleasant end to the week. Plenty of sunshine and once again temperatures up a little compared to this afternoon. So, feeling warm once again. And highs reaching around 25 to 26° C, but always that little bit cooler in the breeze across northern areas. And then notice this swirl of cloud and rain starting to push its way into the northwest later on Friday.

“Once again, dragging in some strong winds across the northwest of Scotland. So that's the next system we need to keep our eye on. Plenty of rain starting to move through into parts of Scotland. But elsewhere, notice that ridge of high pressure stretching across the southern half of the country.

“So, Friday into Saturday once again should be plenty of dry weather and plenty of sunny spells too. Then all eyes are really on this area of low pressure out into the Atlantic. This is soon to become ex-tropical storm Dexter and there's a chance that could potentially bring some interesting weather over the weekend, possibly even some heatwave conditions as well as maybe some rain and some stronger winds.”