Met Office forecasts North West to get 'driest and sunniest' weather next week with highs of 18C

The North West could see highs of 18C and dry conditions next week after an extremely wet weekend.

The Met Office predicted 'strong winds and possible coastal gales' followed by 'a showery day with potential thunderstorms' on Sunday and into Monday. However, its long-term forecast says our region could see the 'driest and sunniest' weather of the UK on Wednesday.

The forecast, which covers Wednesday May 1 to Friday May 10, said: "In the first part of this period, many areas of the UK are expected to see periods of rain or showers. Some of these showers will be heavy and thundery, with the greatest chance of thunderstorms in the southeast. Along with this will be a fair amount of low cloud in the east at times, with spells of coastal fog, but also temperatures generally above average for the time of year."

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It continued: "Overall, northwestern parts of the UK are likely to be driest and sunniest. Through the second week, temperatures will return closer to normal, perhaps dipping back below average, but it will also tend to turn gradually drier and more settled, with changeable conditions most likely to hang on longest in the south and southeast."

Greater Manchester is in for a cloudy weekend. Saturday will see cloudy skies, turning overcast at times. Some light rain is due to fall in the early afternoon.

Sunday will remain cloudy, with light showers in the early hours turning to heavy rain by late morning. The rest of the day will remain slightly overcast, with highs of 11C.

The new week will start off dry, with sunny intervals and highs of 14C on Monday. The mercury will reach 17C on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday - but hayfever suffers should note that the pollen count will also rise to high.

Tuesday looks set to be the sunniest day of next week so far, with uninterrupted sunshine between 7am and 10am.

The Met Office said: "Chance of heavy rain early on Sunday, before turning drier later. Mostly dry on Monday and Tuesday with sunny spells and feeling markedly warmer than of late. Breezy at times."