Warm spell followed by unsettled weather – May 2020
Author: Press Office
10:54 (UTC+1) on Thu 21 May 2020
Following this week’s warm and sunny weather, low pressure will return on Friday bringing cooler and more unsettled weather for many this weekend.
What does the weather have in store?
Yesterday (Wednesday) saw the hottest day of the year so far, with 28.2°C recorded at Santon Downham, Suffolk. Today will be another warm and sunny day for many with highs of 27-28°C possible in southeast England, however some heavy and possibly thundery showers may develop across eastern parts of the UK.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Andy Page, said: “Today will be another warm and sunny day for many, however northeast Scotland and parts of eastern England will see cloudier skies and showers for a time this afternoon. Some showers may be heavy and thundery with a few lightning strikes possible.”
With cloudless skies across many parts of the UK and high UV levels it is important to protect yourself from the sun if outside.
Cool and windy conditions
Commenting on the transition to cooler weather by the end of the week, Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Matthew Lehnert, said: “Friday will be a cooler and more unsettled day for most as an Atlantic low pressure system moves to the northwest of the UK, replacing the warm air we’ve had for much of this week with fresher westerlies.
“This system will bring a spell of strong winds and a risk of gales to northern and western parts of the UK, with gales of 50 to 60mph possible for parts of north Wales, northwest England, Northern Ireland and western Scotland. A wind warning has been issued for Northern Ireland. Along with strong winds, some rain is expected followed by showers, heaviest across north-western parts of the UK.”
As the area of low pressure moves away to the north, there are signs that more settled conditions will develop across the south through the latter half of the weekend and perhaps extend to other areas through next week.
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