The Met Office has issued a warning about the possibility of showers and thunderstorms affecting the south and west of the UK this weekend. While Friday will continue to see settled weather dominated by high pressure, bringing warm sunshine across much of the country, changes are expected from Saturday night onwards.
Forecasters based in Exeter report that Friday will be warmer than Thursday due to reduced cloud cover. However, the weather outlook is set to shift late Saturday into Sunday morning, with increasing cloud cover moving into the southwest. A low-pressure system tracking north from the continent increases the likelihood of showers and isolated thunderstorms overnight into Sunday.
Deputy Chief Meteorologist Dan Harris explained, “From Saturday night into Sunday morning, showers and isolated thunderstorms are expected to advance northwards across the southwest of the UK. By Sunday and Monday, these conditions will spread to other western parts of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.”
READ MORE: Taunton’s Former Shoe Zone Transformed into Vibrant New Art Gallery
READ MORE: Somerset LEGO Lovers Unite at Weston Brick Festival
Monday may bring particularly intense thunderstorms, especially across Wales and southern England. During this period, most other regions will experience dry, fine, and warmer weather. If thunderstorms do develop, there is potential for intense rainfall rates between 25 to 35 mm per hour, which might cause localized surface water flooding. Additional hazards include hail, lightning, and strong, isolated wind gusts.
Harris emphasized the difficulty in forecasting precise thunderstorm locations at this range, urging the public to monitor updates and any severe weather warnings issued by the Met Office throughout the weekend.
Outside affected areas, temperatures are expected to rise, with highs reaching 26-27°C on Sunday and Monday. Following this unsettled spell, much of the UK will enjoy bright and settled conditions by Tuesday, which are likely to persist through the following week.
Friday will see a dry and sunny day with patchy fair-weather clouds and lighter winds. Temperatures will reach around 20°C after a chilly start. Overnight, skies will clear with breezy conditions along the south coast and a minimum temperature near 4°C.
Saturday morning will begin fine, though fair-weather cloud may develop during the afternoon along with sunny spells. Winds will remain breezy, particularly near the coasts, with temperatures around 21°C.
Sunday will bring increasing cloud cover and a chance of heavy, potentially thundery showers. On Monday and Tuesday, occasional sunny spells will continue alongside further heavy showers as winds ease and warmth persists.
