BRITS hoping for warm weather over the May Bank Holiday weekend may be in luck while other parts of the UK brace for a washout.
The Met Office is predicting “unsettled” weather for the long weekend as millions head off on staycations.
Southern parts of the UK and the Midlands are expected to see the best of the sunshine with potential highs of 19C, say the Met Office.
But forecasters say there will be a split across the country today, with southern parts of England and Wales set to be dry and bright.
Areas of northern England and Scotland could experience heavy outbreaks of rain to dampen Bank Holiday spirits.
Greg Dewhurst, a meteorologist at the Met Office, said there would be “plenty of sunshine around, but it will become cloudier the further north you are”.
He advised those looking for the Saturday sun to head to areas in the Midlands or East Anglia, where temperatures could peak at around 18C.
Tomorrow morning, northern areas of the UK will experience heavy showers, although Mr Dewhurst said: “Hopefully, across the day the clouds will break, and there will be some sunnier spells.”
The Midlands, East Anglia, and southern areas of Wales are set to experience the sunniest spells and warmest temperatures over Sunday and Monday.
In the sunniest areas, temperatures could peak at a pleasant 19C to 20C.
The forecaster confirmed there are currently no Met Office weather warnings in place for the weekend.
However, he urged people to continue to check in, with the forecast for Monday currently “uncertain” and changeable.
While the East Midlands and East Anglia should be sunny and warm, there is a chance of longer spells of rain developing in areas of the south of England.
Meanwhile, the RAC has predicted as many as three million motorists making leisure trips today alone.
It comes after a “cluster of thunderstorms” were forecast yesterday across parts of England.
However, it’s not all bad news– as there is some sunshine on the cards.
Deputy Chief Meteorologist Mark Sidaway said: “There continues to be uncertainty around the track of a low-pressure system which is expected to cross the southern UK this weekend, meaning there is some uncertainty about some of the forecast details.
“While it will remain unsettled with further showers or longer spells of rain, all areas should see some drier conditions at some point and, in any sunshine, it should feel quite warm.
“But for the exact details for your area stay up to date with forecast over the coming days.”
ROADS WARNING
It comes as yesterday saw a tea-time meltdown as a holidaymakers’ rush clashed with office workers and after-school traffic.
Around 16million drivers were expected on roads on Friday, data trends showed.
RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said: “It’s looking like a Frantic Friday, with getaway, school and commuter traffic building into the evening.
“Major trunk routes will be congested, with Saturday also busy.
“And after such miserable cold temperatures recently, drivers are ready to make the most of any better weather.
“And after such miserable cold temperatures recently, drivers are ready to make the most of any better weather.
“Expect many more people on roads on days temperatures rise.”
The AA warned of Friday snarl-ups at hotspots including the M25 at J11 in Surrey, the M1 at J11 near Luton, the M5 at J18 near Bristol, the M6 from J4a to J8 around Birmingham, and the M60 at J9 and J10 near the Trafford Centre.
The RAC said Bank Holiday Monday’s train drivers overtime ban – set to see hundreds of services cancelled – will force more people into their cars.
Mr Dennis added: “People are concerned about rail strikes, so some of those rail journeys planned for Monday will end up on the road instead.”
RAIL DISRUPTION
Meanwhile 487 rail engineering schemes costing £75million will also see major disruption.
The west coast mainline – the busiest route in Britain – will have no trains from London or Glasgow on Sunday, with services slashed today and Monday.
Other works will hit journeys near Liverpool, Crewe, Wigan, Coventry, Cambridge and Southampton.
Network Rail‘s Anit Chandarana said: “We’re investing in making the railway more reliable.”
10,000 trains and two million passengers’ journeys are set to be cancelled by ASLEF train drivers’ strikes at 16 operators on May 7, 8 and 9, analysis of rail industry figures indicates.
And an overtime ban, which sees services axed at the last minute, runs from Bank Holiday Monday on May 6 until May 11.
Network Rail said: “Some operators will not run any services on strike days, and the overtime ban may lead to short-notice cancellations.”
Heathrow passengers face passport control delays in the run-up to the holiday weekend as 300 Border Force staff strike from Monday to Thursday.
Heathrow said: “Longer queue times may be experienced.”
Ferry passengers are set for 60-minute queues at Dover as up to 15,000 cars sail to France over the extended weekend.
