A wet and unsettled bank holiday weekend is forecast for much of the UK, with rain and strong winds expected to dominate the weather. According to meteorologists, while the risk of a tornado remains very low, scattered heavy downpours and thunderstorms may affect parts of southern England and the Midlands.
This shift in weather marks a break from the driest start to spring the UK has experienced in over a century. The prolonged dry spell and sunshine have been replaced by a more changeable pattern, bringing much-needed rain but also unsettled conditions through the bank holiday.
Rain and Wind Set to Dominate Bank Holiday Weekend
According to forecasters, the UK will experience a notably wetter and windier period over the coming bank holiday.
Showers and thunderstorms started on Wednesday, particularly across southern England and the Midlands, where scattered heavy downpours were reported. These conditions are expected to persist through the weekend, with rain turning heavier in the north and west by Saturday.
Temperatures will remain moderate, ranging between 14°C and 22°C depending on location and time. Northern and western areas should expect showers accompanied by gusty winds exceeding 45mph on Sunday, while southern and eastern parts may enjoy slightly warmer weather with more sunshine.
Bank holiday Monday will continue the unsettled theme, with sunshine interspersed by showers, some heavy and thundery, driven by low pressure anchored to the north of the UK.
The Met Office has emphasised that although funnel clouds and small tornadoes are possible in such unstable atmospheric conditions, any tornado would be small scale, with no warnings currently issued. The risk is further diminishing as temperatures cool into the evenings.
A Welcome Break From the Driest Spring in Over a Century
This spring has been marked by exceptionally dry weather, with some regions recording less than 20% of average rainfall for May so far.
According to the Environment Agency, this prolonged dry spell has led to a medium drought risk and unusually low river levels across many parts of the UK. The dry conditions have also contributed to a larger wildfire-affected area than usual during the season.
The current shift to wetter weather, driven by low pressure systems moving in from the Atlantic, is expected to ease some drought concerns. Although the late May bank holiday has historically been more often wet or unsettled than dry, this change is timely for replenishing moisture after months of scarce rainfall.
Looking beyond the bank holiday, the weather pattern is expected to remain variable, with continued sunshine, showers and blustery winds into early June. Residents are advised to keep up to date with local forecasts to prepare for these fluctuating conditions.
