Met Office warns of Easter WASHOUT as heavy showers strike just hours after temps hit 24C on hottest day of year so far
THE Met Office has warned the Easter break could be a washout with heavy showers set to hit the country in just hours.
Saturday was the UK’s warmest day of the year so far with 24°C recorded in Northolt, North West London.
But it also saw rain returning to some for the first time in a fortnight.
Sunday will see a mix of bright spells and showers with some turning heavy especially towards lunchtime.
The most frequent showers are expected across Scotland and Northern Ireland.
It will feel fresher for many, but still warm across the southeast, the weather service added.
The forecaster said low pressure returned this weekend after a prolonged period of high pressure brought dry weather and sunny skies.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Jason Kelly explained: “A change is on the way this weekend, as we say goodbye to the wall-to-wall sunshine.
“High pressure sinks southwards and allows low pressure to take hold bringing more cloud, rain and showers, and also lower temperatures.
“By Sunday, conditions will be fresher, with sunny spells and light to moderate winds.
“Showers will be most frequent in the west and northwest, where they could be heavy, bringing a risk of isolated thunderstorms and hail.
“Precipitation may be wintry over the highest ground, over 600 metres.
“Many eastern and southeastern areas are likely to stay dry and rather warm following clearance of early rain, whereas temperatures will be much cooler in the northwest of the UK.”
Low pressure is likely to lie in the vicinity of the UK into next week bringing a mixture of showers, longer spells of rain and some drier interludes.
The Met Office said it was carefully monitoring the period of Tuesday to Thursday.
There is a chance that an area of heavier rain moves up from the south, or southeast, which could also be accompanied by stronger winds.
Temperatures overall are most likely to be around average for the time of year with some chilly nights and locally warm days.
UK 5 day weather forecast
Today:
Sunny spells and showers, heaviest in the northwest with isolated thunder and hail. Southeastern areas staying mostly dry.
Less warm than Saturday for all, though temperatures still above the April average in the southeast.
Tonight:
Mixture of clear spells and showers, these still most prominent in the west whilst eastern areas remain drier.
A chilly night with a slight frost in sheltered rural spots.
Monday:
More organised band of showers moves eastwards before stalling across parts of Britain.
Some locally heavy rain with a risk of thunder. Drier and warmer to the southeast.
Outlook for Tuesday to Thursday:
Staying changeable with sunny spells and further showers, perhaps heavy and at times merging into longer periods of rain.
Temperatures near the seasonal average, though chilly at night.