The UK is on the brink of a dramatic weather change as the prolonged period of warm, sunny days prepares to give way to heavy Atlantic rain and cooler temperatures just before the bank holiday. After enjoying balmy conditions throughout April and May, many Brits will soon face a washout as a high-pressure system that has dominated much of the spring loses its grip.
The Met Office describes this transition as a “significant turnaround,” with a wave of low-pressure Atlantic systems expected to sweep across the country during the final week of May. Major cities including Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff, Liverpool, Glasgow, and areas in the Scottish Highlands are forecast to experience substantial rainfall.
In Gloucestershire, residents can expect some showers over the weekend, though Monday will likely remain dry. Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern highlights the scale of the change: “The last week of May could be wetter than average, marking a clear shift in weather patterns after a sunny and dry spring.”
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While the early part of this week retains some warmth—particularly for western regions—the east will feel cooler breezes from the North Sea. This brief calm is poised to end by Friday or Saturday as Atlantic lows move in, bringing widespread showers that will escalate into heavy downpours across many parts of the UK.
McGivern adds, “There’s certainty that low pressure will replace the high-pressure system, although the exact timing and location of rainfall remain somewhat uncertain.” This shift signals the close of an unusually settled spring, with British weather expert Jim Dale warning of an increase in heavy rain and even potential thunderstorms, especially in western areas.
AccuWeather’s Jason Nicholls also notes that southern England and Wales could see isolated thundery showers early in the week, with more extensive rainfall arriving later.
Today’s forecast includes morning rain that will break into potentially heavy showers by afternoon, with temperatures peaking around 18°C. Tonight, showers will fade, leaving clear skies and mist in rural spots, with lows near 3°C. Thursday promises a dry day with warm, sunny spells and a slight chance of an isolated shower.
Looking ahead to the weekend, Friday will start dry and sunny but rain is expected to return by Saturday, tapering off to scattered showers on Sunday. Over the Bank Holiday and into early June, the UK faces a much more unsettled spell with frequent showers, heavier rain in the west, and breezy conditions, while some eastern regions might enjoy drier intervals. Temperatures will hover around the average, feeling cooler due to the often strong winds.
This shift marks the end of a notably dry and settled spring, reminding Brits to prepare for a wetter and more changeable weather pattern in the coming days.