Met Office: what's happening and what it means

Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster, Tom Crabtree said: “By Friday, conditions are expected to become more unsettled, with rain and showers spreading in from the southwest, some of which could be heavy and possibly thundery. Met Office has emerged this Friday as one of the stories drawing attention in Pakistan.

Key facts

• Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster, Tom Crabtree said: “By Friday, conditions are expected to become more unsettled, with rain and showers spreading in from the southwest, some of which could be heavy and possibly thundery.
• Details will become clearer closer to the weekend, so do keep up to date with the latest Met Office forecast.”
• Temperatures in parts of the UK hit 25C on Friday but forecasters have warned of possible heavy rain over the bank holiday weekend.
• The UK will see a mix of spring warmth and increasingly changeable conditions this week, with temperatures above average for most, before a growing chance of some heavy and potentially thundery showers towards the end of the week.
• Temperatures will climb above late‑April averages in sunnier areas, with a headline maximum of around 23°C possible in southern England.

What we know

Going deeper, Details will become clearer closer to the weekend, so do keep up to date with the latest Met Office forecast.”

On the substance, Temperatures in parts of the UK hit 25C on Friday but forecasters have warned of possible heavy rain over the bank holiday weekend.

Beyond the headlines, the UK will see a mix of spring warmth and increasingly changeable conditions this week, with temperatures above average for most, before a growing chance of some heavy and potentially thundery showers towards the end of the week.

More precisely, Temperatures will climb above late‑April averages in sunnier areas, with a headline maximum of around 23°C possible in southern England.

It is worth noting that Temperatures will be several degrees lower than Monday across much of England and Wales, though north‑west Scotland and western Northern Ireland could still see highs near 19°C.

By the numbers

“Ahead of this, it will feel warm and humid in parts of England on Friday, with temperatures potentially reaching 24°C in central and southern areas.

On a related note, a high of 25.4C was recorded on Friday at both Heathrow Airport and Kew Gardens in London, meaning areas of southern England were hotter than Tenerife where the projected high was 23C.

Going deeper, England received just over a third (38%) of expected rainfall last month, with Wales seeing nearly two-thirds (63%).

On the substance, Northern Ireland received close to expected levels, while Scotland had 17% more rain than is typical.

The wider context

On a related note, Today (Monday) starts the week on a warm note for many, but showers will move southwards across parts of Scotland and England.

Going deeper, some of these may be heavy, with a risk of the odd rumble of thunder, particularly across eastern Scotland and parts of central and southeast England.

On the substance, Tuesday will feel noticeably cooler for many, with cloud and some patchy drizzle early on, but sunny spells developing widely.

Beyond the headlines, From midweek, high pressure brings a return to largely dry and fine weather.

More precisely, Wednesday and Thursday will see plenty of sunshine for many, though it will become windier in southern areas, with coastal gales possible in parts of the southwest.

The bottom line

• The UK will see a mix of spring warmth and increasingly changeable conditions this week, with temperatures above average for most, before a growing chance of some heavy and potentially thundery showers towards the end of the week.
• A high of 25.4C was recorded on Friday at both Heathrow Airport and Kew Gardens in London, meaning areas of southern England were hotter than Tenerife where the projected high was 23C.
• Some of these may be heavy, with a risk of the odd rumble of thunder, particularly across eastern Scotland and parts of central and southeast England.
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