Met Office daily weather: A change going into the weekend

Friday brings a noticeable improvement in conditions across much of the UK.

After a cooler Thursday, temperatures will rise, with maxima generally near average and a little higher than the previous day for most of England and Wales. The highest temperatures are expected in eastern, southern, and central England, where isolated spots could reach 22°C, while Scotland and Northern Ireland may see highs of 18°C, with some locations touching 19°C.

The day will feature sunny spells for many, though scattered showers are likely in the north and west. Other regions will remain generally dry. In the very far northwest, it will turn cloudier and breezier during the afternoon, with cloud perhaps thick enough to bring patchy rain or drizzle. Winds will be light for most but will strengthen in the far northwest as the day progresses.

Friday night will be dry for most areas, with long clear periods and clear skies. Isolated fog patches may develop over parts of England and Wales later in the night. The far northwest of Scotland will remain cloudier for a time, with a continued risk of patchy rain or drizzle. Overnight minima will be a little higher than the previous night, especially in the northwest, and close to average elsewhere.

Outlook for Saturday

Saturday is set to be fine for many, with sunshine expected, although it may be hazy at times. Some early mist and fog patches are possible across the southeast, but these should quickly clear after dawn. It will be cloudier across parts of the west, especially Northern Ireland and western Scotland, where some showers are likely. More persistent rain may reach Northern Ireland during the evening. A freshening breeze will develop for most areas, adding to the sense of change.

Temperatures will continue to rise, turning rather warm for many. Temperatures could reach 23–24°C for eastern and southeastern England. While the highest partial thicknesses are expected to peak on Sunday, the full potential is unlikely to be realised due to extensive cloud and outbreaks of rain.

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Met Office presenter and meteorologist, Alex Deakin, said: “It'll be a sunny start to Friday. And for most, it's a good day actually. Certainly a lot drier than most days have been this week, although it won't be completely dry. A few showers feeding in to northwest England, western Scotland, clouding over the western Isles later as a weather system moves in and the breeze starts to pick up. And more generally some cloud will bubble up as we go through the day. But for most, as I said, much drier than it has been.

“And we'll see bright or sunny spells through the day with lighter winds feeling quite pleasant. Temperatures around or again a touch above average, high teens, low 20s. So, yes, a big improvement for most of us after what's been a pretty wet week.

“How about the weekend? Well, as we go through Friday evening, that cloud will continue to thicken across the northwest and the breeze will continue to strengthen. That is signs of another area of low pressure approaching. But things get a bit complicated into the weekend. There's one low up to the north. Another one coming in from the west southwest as we go through the weekend. But ahead of it, we've got high pressure.

“So, a bit of a scrap on Saturday. Then it looks like this low will bring more wet and windy weather across the country during Sunday. But before it does arrive, as it's sitting out here and the high pressure sitting to the east, we are going to draw up some pretty warm air. So, for many places, Saturday look like having a fine day of hazy warm sunshine. Quite a warm and humid feel, warm and humid feel as the rain arrives on Sunday.”

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