UK weather: Met Office issues bank holiday 'washout' verdict as storm mapped

The has issued its verdict on whether or not the the late May bank holiday will be a 'washout' as a approaching the UK.

After several weeks of mostly dry and warm for many, Brits will be wondering whether the upcoming bank holiday weekend will have the potential for more BBQs and evenings in beer gardens across the UK. And while there is some sunshine expected, there's also a chance of some as high pressure that has gripped the UK in recent weeks loosens its grip on the country.

While the rain may dampen some people's plans, it's good news for gardeners after an unseasonably dry and, at times, hot start to May. The Met Office's Deputy Chief Meteorologist Mark Sidaway explained: "The high pressure that has been around for the last few weeks will slowly lose its grip on the UK this week, bringing a change to more unsettled conditions with many areas seeing rain or showers, ending the prolonged dry spell.

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"The change comes this weekend, with weather systems moving in from the Atlantic, arriving from the west probably later on Friday and through Saturday. They will bring with them spells of rain, which may be heavy at times, with a risk of strong winds in places.

"These conditions will gradually spread across the UK on Saturday, with Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday likely seeing sunshine and showers. So, whilst the bank holiday won't be a complete washout, with some sunshine expected, this weekend represents a notable shift from the fine and settled weather pattern that has dominated so far this month."

Moving forward, many will be making plans for the May half-term, with kids across the country off school. During this time, though, it may be better to plan some indoor activities, as the warns: "As we head into half-term week for many, conditions are likely to remain unsettled, with rain, wind and around average temperatures in the forecast."

It comes after a start to spring that the Met Office has deemed "exceptionally dry and sunny" which has had the potential to break records. The forecaster confirmed on Friday that the UK had recorded more sunshine hours so far this spring than it did for the entirety of the meterological summer last year, according to provisional data. However, with unsettled conditions forecast in the near future and almost two weeks left of May, there is still plenty of time for things to change.

This year saw the sunniest April for the UK since records began in 1910, with 47% more sunshine hours than the long-term meterological average, according to the provisional stats. Temperatures were also 1.7C above average, making this year the third warmest April for mean temperatures in the UK since the series began in 1884.

The warmest April recorded had a mean temperature of 10.7C in 2011, with this year coming in at a mean of 9.6C. According to the Met Office: "The high mean temperatures were chiefly influenced by higher-than-average daytime temperatures, though it was also warmer than average overnight."

Met Office Meteorologist Aidan McGivern said: “High pressure sat over the UK for the first two weeks of April as well as the last week, with low pressure bringing some unsettled weather in the middle. This has meant temperatures have been above average, and rainfall, for most, has been below.

“The last week of April has closed out with temperatures well above the seasonal average, with station records for temperatures and sunshine broken. The reason for the high temperatures over the last week has not been because we’ve been importing warm air from the south, but because cloud-free skies have brought strong solar insolation, warming the air up day-by-day.

"The sun is as strong at this time of year as it is in August. Under high pressure, the air tends to sink, get compressed, and warm up. So, it’s fair to say that this latest period of very warm weather has been ‘home-grown’ and not brought in from anywhere else.”