UK Weather: Last sunny day before rain and a choppy system due to jet stream

After a mild weekend with highs of 24C, showers and high winds are expected across the UK next week

Today will be the last day of consistent sunshine for many, with a powerful jet stream set to batter the UK with ferocious winds and gales from Monday.

Rain and high winds are set to hit across the UK through Wednesday – after a weekend when temperatures hit 24C.

The unsettled weather predicted by forecasters is attributed to the strengthening jet stream.

Downpours are expected to hit Brits from Monday, although some southern and central areas should avoid the worst of the rain.

There will be some dry patches in southern and central areas but downpours are expected to hit Brits from Monday.

The Met Office said: “Next week an intensification of the jet stream – which plays a crucial role in propelling weather systems towards the UK – is expected to bring periods of unrest across much of the country through next week.

“Although there will still be some periods of drier weather, most likely in southern and central areas.”

Brits across the country must expect showers as the UK is set to be ‘cooler than ever’, according to the Met Office.

London could hit 24C today.

met office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Dan Rudman said: “The intensification of the jet stream increases the likelihood of low-pressure systems developing over the Atlantic pushing towards the UK.

“While some details remain to be determined on the depth and timing of these lows, we know that unsettled weather is on the way next week, with some strong winds likely from mid-week, particularly in the north.”

“Weather of this nature is not uncommon in a UK spring as changes in the jet stream often bring interludes of unsettled weather.”

The Met Office’s Richard Miles explained how a continent’s high-pressure system is responsible for the heat and drama Thunderstorm seen in some areas this week.

He said there’s a chance this high-pressure system will “penetrate the far corner of the southeast early next week, bringing even more thunderstorms to the region.”

Richard said the good weather of late “will fall off on Monday, Tuesday.

“Most places will feel cooler early next week than this week.”

Elsewhere in the country, “temperatures will generally drop closer to average,” Miles said, “with showers blowing out of the west,” with temperatures hitting 16C in the southwest and 14C in parts of the northeast.

However, it is hoped the weather could turn again next weekend with highs of 25C on Friday.

Today:

Often cloudy in the north and west with at times some rain or drizzle, then later some heavy showers develop over Scotland and Northern Ireland. Dry with sunny spells in southern and eastern England where it will be warm to the touch.

This evening:

Cloudy for many with some rain or showers in places, particularly first in Northern Scotland and later in South East England.

Monday:

Rain glade from south east England. Sunny spells and showers elsewhere, some heavy in west with risk of thunderstorms later.

Outlook for Tuesday to Thursday:

Uneasy with showers or prolonged rain showers for most, some heavy with risk of thunderstorms. Windy with further rain or showers on Wednesday and Thursday. Temperatures close to average.