Thundery deluge to hit UK this WEEK, warns Met Office as Easter holidays end in washout – but sunshine could soon return
BRITS are bracing for thundery downpours later this week after a soggy end to the Easter school holidays.
As the bank holidays wrap up, thousands will be met with more downpours and drizzle.
This morning many woke up to the sun shining, despite the cold temperatures, as rays of sunshine fall on parts of the UK.
However, the Met Office said showers are quickly “bubbling up.”
The forecaster posted a weather prediction on X showing swathes of rain coming in from the West with clusters of rainfall across the rest of the UK.
The post read: “A dry and bright start to Tuesday for most with sunny spells, although shower quickly bubbling up.
“Remaining cloudy in the far northeast with patchy rain.
“After a chilly start for some, temperatures quickly on the rise in the April sunshine.”
The Environment agency has issued seven flood alerts in the south with warnings for areas near Luton, Newbury and Winchester.
It said that local surface water flooding is possible but not expected in parts of South West England on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The agency warned how and, roads and some properties may flood and there may be travel disruption.
Met Office operational meteorologist Dan Stroud told how yesterday’s rain may linger for a few days.
He said: “For many, Tuesday actually starts on a dry and bright note.
“We’ve got the legacy of Monday’s rain still hanging on to the extreme north and east of Scotland but then it’s all eyes to the west as a fairly deep area of low pressure approaches.
“So cloud and outbreaks of heavy rain will spread in from the west during the course of Tuesday.”
Chester and Southampton might be at risk of thunderstorms developing and the wet weather is warned to stick with us until the end of the week.
Up to 25 to 50mm of rainfall might be spotted in Northern Ireland, Wales, the West Midlands and southwest England over the next few days.
Grey skies and spots of rain remain in the northeast but as we move into Tuesday some regions will see the April sun.
The sunshine should return slowly as the weather is set to “gradually improve” as we move on from a soggy weekend.
Looking ahead, Thursday is set to be a scorcher with plenty of sunny spells, but Friday brings a damp twist for northwestern parts of the UK, easing off by Saturday.
The forecast agency has predicted nationwide showers continuing throughout the month with some weather warnings in place.
Yet, within a few weeks dry and sunny conditions could be making a return.
The month of May could even see temperatures “near or slightly above average”.
Hopefully, these will go beyond the 24C that has currently been recorded as the warmest day this year.
The warm weather comes after a wet weekend as Easter holiday plans were set to be ruined after the Met Office issued a yellow warning for torrential rain.
Travellers were also met with difficulties this Easter due to the closure of a major line to London.
Flights were affected as strike action hit Gatwick Airport and rail passengers faced further disruption as Network Rail began its Easter engineering work.
Traffic was set to be at its highest level in three years for the holiday period, with a whopping 19 million travellers expected to make journeys, according to the RAC.
UK five day weather forecast
Today:
A day of sunny spells and scattered showers for much of the country. Some of the showers could be heavy at times. Rain arriving across Northern Ireland through the afternoon, moving into Wales and the West Country by the evening.
Tonight:
Rain will continue to move southeastwards across much of central and southern England through the night. Elsewhere will be dry, with clear spells. Temperature for most will be above freezing.
Wednesday:
Early rain will clear southeast England, then most places should be dry with bright or sunny spells. A few showers developing in the afternoon. Feeling warm in the sunnier breaks.
Outlook for Thursday to Saturday:
Mostly dry on Thursday, with sunny spells. Rain likely across northwestern parts of the UK on Friday, slowly easing on Saturday. Mainly dry elsewhere, with warm spells of sunshine.