UK weather forecast: sunny Bank Holiday weekend predicted, but there's rain on the way too

Brits are facing a warm and largely sunny bank holiday weekend, but a few scattered showers mean umbrellas shouldn’t be tossed aside yet, forecasters have warned.

The first half of the week will continue to offer a taste of summer, with the mercury set to reach highs of 22C on Tuesday and 23C on Wednesday in London and the south east.

However, temperatures will start to drop towards the seasonal average on Thursday, according to the Met Office.

“We can expect to see temperatures dip to around 18 or 19C in the south, and 15 to 16C in the north during the second half of the week, so things will start to feel cooler,” Met Office meteorologist Emma Smith told the Standard.

“We can expect a few light showers across the country, particularly on Saturday, which could see some showery outbreaks.

“But generally we’ll have plenty of useable weather, meaning people will be able to get out and about over the bank holiday weekend.”

Southeast England will see the best of the weather, with breezier conditions in the southwest.

Scotland will notice some improvements as the weather brightens up after a showery start to the week, but Northern Ireland could suffer heavier outbreaks moving into the weekend, the Met Office predicts.

Ms Smith dampened hopes for an imminent heatwave, saying: “I’d love it if that was on the horizon for the weekend, but although the weather will be good enough for people to get out their barbeques, they’ll probably need a jumper.”

The disappointment comes after the UK enjoyed its warmest Easter Monday on record last month, with temperatures reaching 25C in some parts of the country.