UK weather forecast: Brits will enjoy Monday’s sunny bank holiday before temperatures drop

Monday could be your last chance for a spring barbecue as mercury is set to plummet again next week for much of the country with widespread drizzle and clouds expected

Brits can soak up the sun with picnics, BBQs and sunbathing this bank holiday Monday before the cold and drizzle return for the rest of the week.

Temperatures could hit as high as 18C on Monday, although unfortunately they are not expected to return to the highs observed earlier in the month.

This month was the latest in a series of dry Aprils, with rainfall some 35% below average, according to the Met Office.

Most areas will experience rain on Saturday or Sunday when a low pressure system pulls down from Scotland and Northern Ireland, but a milder spell will follow on Monday.

Unfortunately, the rest of the week will not follow as the Met Office predicts things will be “quite cloudy” with patches of rain.

In the Northeast, the Mercury will also dip into cooler than average temperatures for that time of year.

The south east of England could be spared these April showers depending on when the “dallying” weather system “phases out”, according to Met Office forecaster Richard Miles.

“Most places will see some nice spells and reasonable spring weather over the weekend,” he said.

“It’s not a washout and it’s not a heat wave.

“After the rain band has passed on Monday, it may be dry enough for a barbecue. It won’t rain down, but you will see some gaps in the cloud.”

The forecast highs of below 20°C could prove disappointing for some after the Easter heatwave. On Good Friday, the temperature measured in St. James’ Park in London was higher than in Ibiza.

“What we have seen this month is a long period of the UK being under the influence of high pressure bringing calm and stable weather, particularly in the south,” said Dr. Mark McCarthy from the National Climate Information Centre.

But this weekend’s “mixed spring weather” – which Mr Miles described as “fairly normal” for late April – marks a return to normal after last year’s bank holiday washout.

UK forecast for the next 5 days

Good for many Saturdays but cloudier and wetter in the north.

Today:

Windier weather with occasional heavy rain moves south-east across Scotland and Northern Ireland, eventually reaching parts of northern England and North Wales. Cooler than Friday here. Much of England and Wales sees warm sunshine, with the South East noticeably warmer.

This evening:

The rain will continue south into some south-eastern areas of England, heaviest over some western hills. Low cloud and fog affect some northern areas while rain fizzles out. milder.

Sunday:

England and Wales Cloudy and cooler with occasional rain or drizzle later easing away from the South West. Scotland and Northern Ireland drier, but rather cloudy, only occasional light showers.

Outlook for Monday to Wednesday:

Fairly cloudy with some showers and coastal fog patches. Temperatures around average but warm in all sunny periods with light winds. In the northeast it will be cooler at times.