Periods of rain and strong winds are expected to affect large parts of the UK from mid-May, marking a stark contrast to the dry and sunny conditions that began the month. The change will mostly impact western regions, while parts of the north and east may remain relatively dry.
After a notably dry and bright start to May, the UK is bracing for a spell of unsettled weather, according to the Met Office and Netweather. A shift in atmospheric patterns driven by Atlantic systems is forecast to bring frequent rain and overcast skies to many parts of the country, beginning this week.
The coming days are expected to mark the start of a more changeable weather pattern, which may persist through the end of the month. While some regions could experience only intermittent showers, others—particularly in the west—may face heavier downpours and reduced sunshine.
Met Office Signals End of Settled Spell
According to the Met Office, conditions will begin to deteriorate on Sunday evening with drizzle, followed by a risk of heavier, possibly thundery showers on Monday. By Thursday, further rain is forecast to move in from the west, with more persistent bands likely between 22 and 31 May. The agency has also warned of strong winds in exposed areas.
“More unsettled conditions are likely to develop,” the Met Office stated in its long-range forecast, “with weather systems moving in from the Atlantic.”
These systems are expected to produce spells of rain, interspersed with brighter intervals, though the latter will be limited. While temperatures may remain close to or slightly above seasonal norms, sunshine totals are expected to fall below average in south-western regions.
Netweather Expects Heavy Showers and Eastern Resilience
In its latest forecast, Netweather TV echoed the Met Office‘s outlook, noting that the final week of May is likely to be “considerably more unsettled.”
The east Atlantic trough is forecast to approach Britain, increasing the likelihood of bands of rain and intermittent bright spells. Some of these showers may be heavy and thundery, particularly in the second half of the week.
The report also suggested that western areas are more vulnerable to prolonged wet conditions, while northern and eastern Scotland and eastern England may see near or below average rainfall, owing to localised pressure patterns.
Winds from the south are expected to be more frequent, contributing to slightly above-normal temperatures in some parts of the UK.
Though variability remains, both forecasting agencies emphasise a shift toward cooler, wetter conditions, ending what had been a notably dry and sunny start to spring for much of the country.
