UK bank holiday weekend forecast: Thunderstorms, rain and cooler temperatures

Bank holiday weekend to see more thunderstorms and rain

The United Kingdom will receive much‑needed rain over the bank holiday weekend, with showers, heavy downpours and thunderstorms expected to keep the weather unsettled across most of the country. A yellow weather warning for thunderstorms remains in force for eastern England until 07:00 BST on Friday, and the Met Office predicts frequent lightning, hail, strong gusts and heavy rain in that region.

Across the rest of the day, the forecast calls for showers and longer spells of rain, with heavy downpours and thunderstorms possible in western Scotland, Wales and north‑west England. The wet weather could spread east later in the day, bringing thunderstorms to north‑east England and eastern Scotland.

Temperatures will cool after a period of warm, humid conditions. By Friday, the Met Office expects 20–23 °C (68–73 °F) in England and Wales and 16–20 °C (61–68 °F) in Scotland and Northern Ireland – figures that are close to the late‑August average. Saturday will remain unsettled, with a mix of sunshine and heavy showers, and possible thunderstorms, particularly across England and Wales. Fresh westerly winds will make the day feel blustery, with highs of 18–22 °C (64–72 °F) in England and Wales and 16–19 °C (61–66 °F) further north.

The bank holiday weekend will see rain on every day. Sunday and Monday will be changeable, with further heavy showers, longer spells of rain and a risk of thunderstorms. Monday is likely to be the wettest day across Scotland, while England and Wales can expect a mix of sunshine and showers before further rain moves in from the west. Stronger winds are also possible across southern parts of the UK, with temperatures generally ranging from 16 °C to 23 °C (61–73 °F).

The late‑August bank holiday weekend is expected to be cooler, windier and wetter than the hot and dry conditions that have characterised much of the record‑breaking summer. Although there will still be some pleasant sunny spells between showers, temperatures are unlikely to rise into the low 20s in the south‑east, and the low pressure system remains close to the UK, giving little sign of a return to prolonged hot and settled weather.

The outlook for early September suggests further changeable conditions, with a mixture of sunshine and showers and temperatures generally close to or slightly below average. The Met Office will continue to issue weather warnings as the situation develops, and motorists are advised to exercise caution.

The RAC has estimated that 20 million car trips will be made across the weekend, and drivers should be prepared for challenging conditions. The yellow weather warning for thunderstorms in eastern England remains in place until 07:00 on Friday. People in that area may see frequent lightning, hail, strong, gusty winds and heavy rain. For the rest of the day, showers and longer spells of rain are expected, with heavy downpours and thunderstorms possible, especially across western Scotland, Wales and north‑west England.

For those planning to travel or visit beaches such as Porth in Cornwall, the forecast suggests that the recent hot summer has attracted many to the coast, but the upcoming cooler, windier and wetter weekend may alter those plans. Drivers should keep up to date with the latest forecasts by checking the BBC Weather website and app.