Heavy rain and wind expected across UK ahead of weekend sunny spell

Blustery conditions and cooler temperatures are expected across most of the country this week ahead of a dry and sunny spell over the weekend.

An area of low pressure in northern Scotland will bring rain and wind on Thursday, with showers in the south and east of England forecast throughout the morning.

The Met Office said all parts of the country are due for rain ahead of the weekend and temperatures will fall to the single figures in parts of central and southern England.

Meteorologist Emma Salter said: “Those showers will continue through Thursday night across Scotland and parts of Northern Ireland. Elsewhere, these showers will gradually start to ease through Thursday night and into Friday morning.

“It will be a clear, bright, and sunny start across the South East, however, elsewhere, we will see the cloud start to thicken and lower through Friday.”

On Saturday, highs of around 16C are forecast in Scotland and Northern Ireland and temperatures will climb to the low twenties across England, peaking in London at 23C.

It will be drier and brighter across most of the country on Sunday, with the Met Office forecasting between 19 and 23C in Wales and southern England.

Highs of 18C are expected in northern England, while Scotland and Northern Ireland will see temperatures hit 16C.

Warmer weather is expected across all of the UK on Monday, with Wales and southern and central parts of England set to see around 20 to 25C.

The Met Office has forecast highs of 22C in Northern Ireland at the beginning of next week, while 19C to 22C is expected in Scotland.

Met Office five-day forecast

Thursday

Rain clears the South East by midday, leaving a day of mostly dry and sunny spells in the South. Showers in the North, some being heavy with strong winds. Chance of gales across Scotland with temperatures around average for September.

Thursday night

Showers fade across central and eastern areas, leaving clear spells. Further west and north, showers continue, with longer periods of rain in western and northern Scotland. Staying breezy, gales easing.

Friday

Rain moves into the West through the morning. Many eastern and south-eastern areas staying mostly dry. Windy with possible coastal gales in the North and North West. Temperatures near average.

Outlook for Saturday to Monday

Windy with showers, heaviest in Scotland, and patchy rain in the South and West. Drier and brighter Sunday. Monday largely dry and warm, though cloudier with rain in the North West.