UK weather: Wet weather eases on first weekend of lockdown easing

22 May 2021, 08:39

Slighter brighter weather is on its way for the first weekend of lockdown easing after a week of rain and storms across the UK.

The Met Office has predicted some respite from heavy downpours and gale-force winds on Saturday, though temperatures are still set to be low for the time of year.

Heavy rain in the South West - which could see new rainfall records set for May in Devon and Wales - will be replaced by lighter, patchier showers on Saturday with longer dry spells.

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Daytime temperatures are predicted to be in the mid-single figures for much of the UK over the first weekend that people in England have been able to meet in larger groups outside, and outdoor events resumed.

Some northern regions in Scotland could also see frost on Saturday and Sunday morning.

Forecasters have said northern Scotland and Northern Ireland are likely to see the best of the sunshine on Sunday.

Met Office meteorologist Annie Shuttleworth said more settled springtime weather is predicted for the following week.

She added: "We're pointing towards seeing things settling down from the middle of next week onwards, particularly in the south.

"There is a good deal of uncertainty in the forecast, but we're hoping by the end of May we will have much drier and settled weather across the UK."

She said the long-term forecast suggests June will be much drier than May.

"The most likely scenario at the moment is looking like predominantly dry weather, at quite a contrast to what we've seen with the wet weather in May, so that would be an improvement," she added.