Met Office daily weather: Largely dry and settled for most

A fresher start to the day on Thursday but largely dry and settled for most

Thursday will bring largely settled conditions across the UK, with high pressure continuing to exert its influence. Most areas will remain dry, with the best of the sunshine expected in western regions. Elsewhere, cloud cover will gradually break up through the day, allowing sunny intervals to develop more widely.

There is a small chance of an isolated light shower across the Northern Isles, but this will be the exception rather than the rule. Breezy conditions are likely around North Sea coasts, contributing to a cooler feel in eastern areas. Temperatures will be near average overall, but it may feel chilly at first, particularly in the east.

Overnight, cloud will persist in northern and some eastern areas, while elsewhere skies will clear, leading to a chilly night. Northern Ireland will see increasing cloud from the west, keeping temperatures milder there. Minimum temperatures will range from 10-12°C in Northern Ireland, while rural parts of England and Wales may see lows between 2-5°C.

Outlook for Friday

Friday continues the theme of largely dry weather, with variable cloud and sunny or clear spells for most. Western areas may see thicker cloud pushing southeastwards across parts of England and Wales, potentially bringing a short spell of light rain. Winds will remain light for most, although the far northeast may experience breezier conditions.

Temperatures will be around average for the time of year, with daytime highs similar to Wednesday. The southwest is likely to see the warmest conditions, with temperatures reaching 21–23°C. Eastern areas will remain cooler, particularly under persistent cloud.

Overnight into Saturday, areas with clearer skies will turn chilly once again, especially in rural locations. The forecast continues to reflect a late summer pattern of settled weather, with only brief interruptions from passing cloud and light rain.

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Met Office presenter and meteorologist, Alex Burkill, said: “A chilly fresh start for some of us first thing on Thursday, but then it's going to be another fine day for most of us. Yes, again, there will be some cloud around, a sway of cloud across some parts of central southern Scotland into Northern England. And that could be thick enough for a few spots of rain, maybe one or two spots over Northern Ireland as well. And a few bits of cloud here and there, particularly towards some central eastern parts of England. But like I say, generally a fine picture.

“A fair bit of sunshine on offer. In fact, across parts of the southwest, a much sunnier day on Thursday compared to Wednesday. And it is going to be pretty dry. Now, once more, a bit of a westerly split with the temperatures. So, towards the west southwest, especially in the sunshine, it's going to feel pretty warm. Temperatures similar to today, but still that brisk breeze and also that fresher, perhaps even chillier feel to things across some North Sea coastal parts. Even some eastern parts of Scotland could be a bit fresh at times as well.

“As we go towards the long bank holiday weekend, there's more fine weather to come. High pressure is going to stay firmly in control, so things are going to stay generally dry. And with that, we're going to see our temperatures rising a little bit. Not as high as they have been earlier on in the summer, but nonetheless, it is likely to be a bit warmer as we go through this weekend.

“Now, there's been a lot of talk about what's going to happen with Hurricane Aaron and exactly how that's going to affect bank holiday Monday. At the moment, it now looks like the fine weather is going to linger through and for what is for much of the country a bank holiday. It now does look set to be generally dry, but there could be some rain pushing through.”

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