UK weather: Downpours, thunder and cooler temperatures forecast after sunniest spring on record

The UK is set to face downpours and thunder as temperatures drop after the sunniest spring on record.

Sunseekers flocked to beaches and parks to enjoy highs of 28C last weekend at the end of England's driest May since records began.

But the weather is expected to worsen as the country heads into next weekend, prompting the prime minister to warn people against undermining the progress made during the coronavirus lockdown by gathering indoors.

The Met Office said there will be “a big change” for many parts of the UK as temperatures plummet by as much as 10C in some places after the warm weather – although they will be around average for the time of year.

Spokesperson Nicola Maxey told The Independent Thursday would be cloudy day with showery rain, feeling “quite breezy and rather cold” because of northerly winds.

“Some showers could be heavy in Scotland and northern England but there will be some brighter spells in the South,” she added.

“On Friday there will be sunny spells and showers, with the likelihood some of those showers could see some isolated thunder.

“The rain could be particularly persistent over northern Scotland and we might see some gales there. We are keeping those cooler temperatures.”

On Saturday, a low pressure system down the east side of the UK is expected “to lead to some heavy showers and a risk of thunder”, said Ms Maxey.

She added: “Again, it will be staying cool but in some sheltered areas temperatures may start pushing up a little bit and get back to the mid to high teens, which is normal for the time of the year.”

Showers are likely to be widespread on Sunday but they will slowly clear, leaving the better day of the weekend.

The highest temperatures will likely be in the South East over the weekend, where it could reach 16C quite widely in London on Saturday, with highs of 20C in isolated spots.

Sunday could see 22C in isolated areas, but 18C quite widely.

The average temperature for the whole of the UK in June is 17C, and for England 18C.

Boris Johnson has acknowledged people may be tempted to organise indoor social gatherings to avoid the rain, but warned the risk of passing the virus on is “significantly higher” inside.

The prime minister told the daily Downing Street briefing on Wednesday: “I want to stress one final point which may be relevant today as the weather threatens, I think to take a turn for the worse.

“Some of you may be tempted to move the gatherings you’ve been enjoying outdoors indoors out of the rain. I really urge you: don’t do that.

“We relaxed the rules on meeting outside for a very specific reason because the evidence shows the risks of transmission are much lower outdoors.

“And the risks of passing on the virus are significantly higher indoors which is why gatherings inside other people’s homes are still prohibited.

“Breaking these rules now could undermine and reverse all the progress that we’ve made together.

“I have no doubt that won’t happen.”

As of Monday, people in England have been allowed to meet up outdoors in groups of up to six and to host barbecues in private gardens as long as social distancing rules are followed.

Additional reporting by PA

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