Met Office daily weather: Cloud and sunny spells with rain on the way

A bright and chilly start to Friday with rain on the way for the weekend

Friday will bring a mix of variable cloud and sunny spells across the UK, with conditions turning cloudier through eastern and then central areas as the day progresses. There is a chance of the odd light shower, particularly in these cloudier regions. Northern parts of the country will experience windy conditions, with gusty winds especially affecting parts of northern Scotland.

Temperatures will be close to the seasonal average, though it will feel cooler in eastern and south-eastern England under the thicker cloud cover. Elsewhere, temperatures are expected to reach 17-18°C, with isolated spots possibly seeing 19°C in areas sheltered from the wind and where sunshine breaks through.

As we move into Friday night, rain will spread eastwards across western areas, while elsewhere variable and often large amounts of cloud will persist, accompanied by a few light showers in windward locations. Winds will remain strong in the north, with local gales possible. The increased wind and cloud cover will mean a less chilly night than recently, although a localised grass frost remains possible in northern and southern areas down the central swathe of the UK.

Outlook for Saturday

Saturday will see a band of rain, heavy in places, particularly across western and south-western Scotland, slowly moving eastwards. Ahead of this, much of the country will enjoy fine weather, albeit with plenty of cloud and the odd light shower. As the rain band clears, sunny or clear spells will develop, with a chance of showers in the far north-west later in the day. Early strong winds in the far north and north-west will moderate as the day goes on.

Temperatures will be milder than preceding nights, and daytime values will be near average for many, though subdued where cloud and rain persist.

READ MORE: Seeing the bigger picture: How satellite data shapes Met Office forecasts

Met Office presenter and meteorologist, Dan Stroud, said: “A bit of a chilly start for some of us and a few mist and fog patches to kick the day off, but there's a good deal of dry and fine weather in the mix. That's courtesy of an area of high pressure to the east. So a fine start this morning across many parts of England and Wales and Scotland. We are seeing a little bit more of an increasing cloud across the south and east. And during the course of the afternoon, this cloud will make some steady progress westwards and it will be thick enough for a few outbreaks of light rain and drizzle here and there.

"But that cloud is going to have a bit of an impact on the afternoon temperatures with highs of 16°C or 17°C for anyone stuck under this cloud. Across the sunnier and brighter west, highs of 18°C, perhaps even 19°C possible. So, feeling quite pleasant in the sunshine. But we do have a strengthening southerly wind in that west, courtesy of this weather front. And that weather front will make steady progress as we move our way through into Saturday morning.

"That cloud and rain arriving across Northern Ireland by dawn. But many parts of England and Wales remaining largely dry with some clear spells. And under those clear spells, those temperatures will fall away. Certainly in some rural spots through some central areas, but many towns and cities staying comfortably in high singles. So that dry but cloudy start to Saturday morning. And those brighter conditions really holding on across the far east.

"It's all eyes to the west as this band of cloud and rain and strengthening wind makes steady progress eastwards during the course of the afternoon. It's really taking its time though for many parts of England remaining dry right the way through to the late afternoon. And in terms of temperatures, pretty academic, close to average for the time of year with highs of 17°C or 18°C across the south, 14°C or 15°C across the north and all that cloud and rain across Scotland. And that weather front will make steady progress eastwards as we move our way into Sunday."

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