Rain set to ease for the weekend as sunshine returns

This weekend offers a welcome shift from the recent unsettled weather, with drier conditions and brighter skies expected. Saturday will see predominantly clear skies, interspersed with occasional sunny intervals, while Sunday is forecast to bring more consistent sunlight as high pressure stabilizes. Temperatures are anticipated to be slightly elevated, ranging from 11 to 16 degrees Celsius, but the combination of spring sunshine and gentle breezes should create a pleasant atmosphere for many.

April’s Unpredictable Weather Patterns

Over the past few days, the UK has experienced typical April weather, marked by a fluctuating mix of sun, showers, and even thunderstorms. These conditions have provided BBC Weather Watchers with ample opportunities to capture dramatic atmospheric events, such as lightning and double rainbows. A notable instance was the sighting of an unusual mammatus cloud in Warwickshire on Wednesday, which highlighted the turbulent nature of cumulonimbus clouds in the lower atmosphere.

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Spring Rainfall Variations

Throughout the spring, rainfall distribution across the UK has been highly uneven. While southern regions like East Anglia and the southeast of England have remained unusually dry, western Scotland has seen significantly higher precipitation. In Essex, for example, only a fifth of the typical spring rainfall has fallen by mid-April, marking a stark contrast to the wetter conditions in the west. Met Office data reveals that between 1st and 14th April, the country recorded just 4.5mm of rain—far below the average of 20mm for that period.

Western Scotland has fared differently, with rainfall amounts doubling the usual April totals. This divergence follows March’s relatively average conditions in the region, but April has brought a series of weather systems that have increased precipitation levels. Overall, the UK saw 70mm of rain in April, exceeding the typical 40mm for this stage of the month.

Historical Context and Future Outlook

Spring has historically been the UK’s fastest-warming season, with climate patterns influencing weather extremes. The past few years have seen notable trends, including the driest spring in 50 years in 2025, which contributed to droughts and hosepipe bans. However, late March 2026 marked a turning point, as the Environment Agency reported that eastern England had transitioned out of recovery mode and into normal conditions following one of the wettest winters since 1836.

While the coming week is likely to remain dry, some cloud cover may persist. Nonetheless, periods of brighter weather are expected, keeping temperatures in the low to mid-teens. This trend suggests that the current drier conditions could continue into the following week, offering a respite from the variable April weather that has dominated recently.