Northern Ireland weekend weather outlook as thunderstorm warning issued by Met Office

There's plenty happening across Northern Ireland this coming weekend including the Belfast City Half Marathon on Sunday.

After this week's spell of warm, dry weather, forecasters say the weekend outlook is looking positive too, great news for those with any outdoor plans.

But the Met Office has also warned that thunderstorms and lightning are set to batter parts of the UK with up to 70mm of rainfall expected in some places.

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A Met Office spokesperson told Belfast Live: "We are expecting heavy showers to develop across southern parts of England and south Wales through Friday, and more widely across southern England and Wales on Saturday, bringing a risk of thunderstorms.

"This is a result of an unstable easterly air mass sitting across the country, combined with warm daytime temperatures leading to shower and thunderstorm development.

"For Northern Ireland, conditions are expected to be comparatively quiet. Areas of mist and patchy fog are likely to form in rural parts on both Friday and Saturday morning, but we are expecting cloudy but largely dry conditions over the first half of the weekend.

"It may feel breezy at times on eastward and northeastward facing coasts, but generally winds are expected to remain light inland.

"There is a risk of scattered showers spreading into southern parts of Northern Ireland overnight on Saturday and into Sunday morning, however the risk of thunderstorms is low. Drier conditions are expected to return for Sunday afternoon, with occasional sunny spells."

But it's a case of enjoy it while it lasts as a change to more unsettled weather will also see a downturn in temperatures, particularly as we go into next week. Monday is expected to be largely cloudy with a few light spots of rain and drizzle.

A window of drier conditions is expected for most places on Tuesday before wet and windy, ‘autumnal’, weather once again moves across the UK from the North Atlantic.

Here's what to expect in Northern Ireland over the next few days, according to the Met Office.

Today:

Fairly widespread areas of cloud at first but this should lift and break to allow for bright or sunny weather to develop through the afternoon. Light northeasterly winds. Maximum temperature 18 °C.

Tonight:

Dry and bright at first but some areas of low cloud developing and spreading west through the evening and overnight. Minimum temperature 8°C.

Sunday:

Cloudy with a few heavier showers possible towards counties Down and Armagh on Sunday morning, becoming brighter with some sunny spells in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 18°C.

Outlook for Monday to Wednesday:

Winds turning northerly from Monday bringing a few light showers. Some showers or perhaps longer spells of rain on Tuesday. Cloud and rain become more widespread and persistent on Wednesday.

UK long range weather forecast: Wednesday 25th September - Friday 4th October

The period is expected to begin on an unsettled note, with a spell of cloud, wind and rain sweeping across much of the UK. Rain is likely to be heavy in places, and there is a small chance that the winds could end up strong enough to cause some disruption. An exception to this may well be the far north of the UK, which could remain in a colder, more showery regime from earlier in the week.

Winds are expected to turn towards the north following this, with the colder, showery type spreading countrywide, before easing through the weekend as a more settled spell develops. The following week is likely to stay fairly unsettled or at least changeable for all, with temperatures rising back to near average.

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