With the first of May's three bank holidays approaching, many of us will be looking forward to a long weekend - but it may be best to make plans indoors, as the North East is set for cloud and rain across the three days.
Much like the rest of the month, the last week of April has already been a somewhat mixed bag with a cold snap moving in at the start of the week and bringing temperatures below average. And while the weekend is set to be milder, the unsettled weather conditions are set to persist with thundery showers on the cards for the region.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Steve Willington said: “The cold conditions from earlier in the week will linger longest in the far north of Scotland but the rest of the UK will see the transition to warmer, but more unsettled conditions.
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“Following on from Wednesday’s largely cloudy conditions, two areas of rain will move in overnight. Western Scotland and the South West will see the first rainfall, which could be heavy at times. In Scotland there is a chance of transient mountain snow as the rain band spreading from the west bumps into the colder air to the north and east.”
Chris Almond, Deputy Chief Meteorologist, talking about the lead into the bank holiday weekend, said: “By Friday temperatures will have increased so that we will see values around 18-21C across parts of the UK.
“The coming bank holiday weekend itself will be a mixture of brighter conditions and showers. These showers will tend to be heaviest and most frequent in the west on Saturday. On Sunday most locations can expect to see at least some showers, whereas on the bank holiday Monday the focus for showers is more likely to be the east, with drier conditions elsewhere. Temperatures will be reasonable and above average.”
The outlook from the Met Office for the lead-up to bank holiday Monday in the North East sees rain clearing eastwards on Friday to leave patchy cloud and sunny spells, but scattered showers on Saturday which will become heavy and thundery on Sunday. Although the rain may put a dampener on things, it is likely to feel warmer each day.
The forecast for Newcastle on Friday predicts it being dull and cloudy with outbreaks of rain and drizzle to start. Cloud lifting through the morning and beginning to break during the afternoon, perhaps allowing for a few brighter spells. Winds mostly light and variable Maximum temperature 13 °C. There will be patchy cloud overnight with some clear spells, maybe the odd mist or fog patch forming under any prolonged clear skies. Winds generally light and variable. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
On Saturday it is predicted to be dull and cloudy conditions with outbreaks of rain and drizzle at times. Winds mostly light but perhaps feeling breezy at times by the coast Maximum temperature 13 °C. and the outlook for Sunday to Tuesday is expected to be mostly cloudy Sunday with the risk of showers, possibly thundery. Sunny spells expected Monday and Tuesday, but still a risk of a heavy shower Monday afternoon. Mild with light winds.
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