Friday will start with a band of rain pushing east or south‑east across the UK. This rain may be locally heavy at times, particularly as it moves through central areas, though it is unlikely to reach East Anglia and south‑east England until later in the day. Ahead of this band, many areas will stay largely dry with bright or sunny spells, and it will feel relatively mild where sunshine breaks through.

As the rain clears, it will tend to turn more showery, with blustery showers developing across Northern Ireland, Scotland and parts of northern England. Some of these showers may be locally heavy for a time. Winds will be breezy for most, becoming windy across north‑western areas, with a risk of coastal gales in parts of the far northwest. Temperatures will vary depending on cloud and wind strength, with the warmest conditions generally found in sunnier, more sheltered areas further east.

Through Friday night, the band of cloud and showery rain will continue to clear south‑eastwards. Many central and southern areas will become largely dry with clear spells developing. Further north, showers or longer spells of rain will persist, especially across western Scotland, where rainfall will be most frequent.

Winds will gradually ease away from the far north, making for a calmer night in many places. It will turn a little cooler compared to the previous night but will remain generally mild for mid‑April.

Outlook for Saturday

Saturday brings a more mixed but improving picture for many areas. Much of the UK will enjoy clear or sunny spells, particularly across central and southern regions. However, northern areas will see showers developing, some of which may be heavy and accompanied by isolated thunderstorms.

The far north may experience more persistent rain for a time, though this should gradually ease through the day. Elsewhere, showers are expected to fade into the evening, allowing brighter conditions to become more widespread.

Winds will be mostly light to moderate, though they may remain fresh or locally strong across northern coastal areas, with an early risk of coastal gales in the far north or northwest. Temperatures will sit close to average, feeling pleasant in sunshine but cooler in exposed northern regions.

Met Office presenter and meteorologist, Alex Deakin, said: “Low pressure is dominating today, with weather fronts edging in from the Atlantic. A weather front will bring a band of rain across Northern Ireland and western Scotland, spreading into Wales and western parts of England.

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“Ahead of this, much of eastern England will stay dry through the morning, and much of East Anglia and the south‑east should remain dry into the afternoon as well. The rain is likely to become more sporadic, though some heavier bursts are possible across the Midlands and south‑west England later in the day. Parts of Wales should turn brighter and cheerier during the afternoon, with sunny spells developing.

“Scotland and Northern Ireland will see some sunny intervals, but showers will continue to move through on a brisk wind. The strongest winds will affect the north‑west, driving frequent showers, some of which may be heavy. Southern Scotland should gradually turn drier as the afternoon and evening progress.

“Temperature‑wise, it will remain quite warm ahead of the cold front, particularly across the south‑east. Although cooler air follows behind the front, sunny spells will still allow temperatures to reach the mid‑teens in many areas, with highs of 17 to 19°C possible in the south‑east.

“Cloud and showers will spread into East Anglia and the south‑east erratically during the evening, so there is a risk of a heavy downpour if you are heading out. Showers will continue across western Scotland and Northern Ireland overnight, but elsewhere many areas will become dry, with winds easing across southern regions. It will be a fairly mild night, with temperatures of around 7 or 8°C, a little lower in rural areas.”

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