Easter UK weather forecast: Spring sunshine returns in time for bank holiday (but don’t forget a rain coat)! Britain set for 16C highs and showers over four-day weekend as …
Published: 19:27, 29 March 2024 | Updated: 19:30, 29 March 2024
Britain is finally expected to see some warm sun over the weekend, but the south west is expected to be soaked from ‘heavy and frequent’ showers.
After a spell of wet and windy weather across the country, the weekend is anticipated to be much more settled.
On Good Friday, temperatures rose to 13C in some areas and many took advantage of the improved weather by taking a dip in the sea.
The area of low pressure responsible for the recent wet and windy conditions will clear away tonight, but it is expected to return after the Bank Holiday.
Pictured: A rainbow shines over the cliffs at West Bay in Dorset
People braving the weather and taking a dip in the sea at Bournemouth beach
Parts of the UK could see sunshine and highs of 16C but the west and the south west could see showers
Holidaymakers take advantage of the sunshine for a walk along the beach in Weymouth, Dorset
Holidaymakers enjoy a walk on Weymouth beach in Dorset as showers make way for sunshine
This weekend’s weather
Good Friday: A mix of sunny spells and scattered showers, with rain turning heavy and thundery in parts including in the south and west. But some areas will feel drier and with lighter winds and prolonged sunshine.
Saturday: Drier conditions this evening are expected to continue tomorrow with sunny spells in most parts of the country. Some areas may experience the odd shower towards the afternoon.
Easter Sunday: Largely dry across the country with lighter winds.
Source: Met Office
Advertisement
Showers seen in parts of the UK today will continue overnight, especially in the west and south coasts, the Met Office[2] said.
They will become more scattered throughout Saturday and most frequent in the west.
Some areas in the East will remain dry throughout the day.
Fortunately, where the sun does shine, it will feel warm and the winds will be much lighter than in previous days.
Deputy Chief Meteorologist for the Met Office, Dan Harris, said: ‘The weather is expected to gradually improve following the widely unsettled spell of the past few days, with a fairly typical mix of spring-like weather across the UK.
‘There will be some sunshine, and it will feel increasingly warm for most as the winds become lighter.
‘However, the west and especially south west is likely to see passing showers too, which could be quite heavy and frequent at times.
‘Eastern coastal districts are also likely to feel increasingly cold as an onshore breeze develops, threatening persistent low cloud in some areas too.’
Tomorrow, highs of 15C are predicted in the south east of England and 13C in northern England and Eastern Scotland.
A vehicle is stuck in floods caused by overnight heavy rain in Essex
Pictured: Several beach huts were blown over by 80mph winds
Members of the public are being advised to keep away from a south coast following damage from Storm Nelson
An estimated 2.6million drivers hit the roads in the Easter getaway
After a chilly start on Sunday, there will be another warm day with brighter spells.
Highs of 16C are forecast in central and southern parts of England and 15C in the north west of England.
Monday is likely to be mostly fine and the driest area will be the north of the UK.
The best sunshine will be in the north west of Scotland.
There is a chance of further rain affecting the south and south east of England.
There is also a small chance this could end up being more widespread across England and Wales.
It comes amid widespread disruption as people sought to get away over the long weekend with an estimated 2.6million car journeys kicking off on Friday.
Weather conditions are set to settle in the UK this Easter weekend, following a period of bad weather
Typically sunny Spain and Portugal are set to receive some rainy showers over the weekend
Monday is likely to be mostly fine, driest in the north of the UK and with best of the sunshine reserved for northwest Scotland
Drivers were stuck in 20-mile long queues on the motorway and areas such as the Port of Dover were gridlocked.
Ferry company DFDS reported that its services at Dover were running with delays ‘due to strong winds in the Channel’.
There was a processing time of two hours for tourists.
Earlier today, cars were seen battling flooded roads and fields and campsites water-logged following this week’s stormy weather as the holiday getaway got underway.
But despite warmer drier weather on the horizon, skies remained grey as drivers headed off for the holidays.
On the south coast, members of the public were urged to avoid Seaton in Devon after several beach huts were destroyed and blown over by Storm Nelson.
Beachgoers were warned of a risk of flying debris as some huts had their doors and roofs ripped off.
References
- ^ Matt Drake (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Met Office (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Met Office (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ easter (www.dailymail.co.uk)