Issued: 1000hrs Monday 20th August 2018
Duty forecaster: Garry Nicholson

Mixed weekend, rain mostly north and west

A fresher west to northwesterly pattern influences Britain later this week, bringing sunshine and showers. Some heavy bursts of rain, with possible thunder. Staying mixed into the weekend, but southern Britain may well escape largely dry.

For the weather for the next few days click here

Thursday 23/08/18
Low pressure lies to the north of Scotland. A weakening cold front slips south across England, resulting in cloudy skies and some rain for the Midlands and southern counties, but should fade. Brighter skies and sunny spells will follow across central England and Wales. Scattered showers for northern Britain and Ireland, heavy and locally frequent in western Scotland. Fresher than recent days for most, 17 to 21C, locally warmer south-east, but cooler in north-west Scotland.

Friday 24/08/18
A fresh westerly breeze is expected. Low pressure moves east toward Scandinavia. Sunshine and showers. Rain most frequent toward the north-west. Heavy and frequent showers possible across the Scottish Highlands. Mainly dry central and southern England, with just brief passing showers. A few heavy showers reaching eastern districts in the afternoon. Fairly cool, just 14 to 17C Scotland, Ireland and the north-west of England & Wales. Up to 18 to 21C Midlands and south.

Saturday 25/08/18
West or northwesterly winds will maintain a showery and cool pattern across the country. Bursts of rain most likely across Scotland, but a scattering of showers possible elsewhere. Locally these showers may band together into frequent rain for an hour or more. Sunny spells away from showers. The far south and south-west probably faring best overall. A cool breeze. Highs 15 to 22C, warmest in the south.

Sunday 26/08/18
A brief ridge of high pressure may build from the west (timing uncertain). A few showers possible, but should fade, leaving broken cloud and sunshine. A possibility of fronts returning from the Atlantic, thickening cloud in the west, and a risk of rain developing for Ireland, later western Britain. Highs 16 to 22C.

Monday 27/08/18
Confidence low, but a continued mixed westerly regime is likely. Rain or showers toward the north-west. Scattered showers elsewhere. Drier and brighter in the south and east. Rather breezy, cool in the north-west, warmest south, 18 to 23C.

Tuesday 28/08/18
Northern regions likely to keep mixed conditions, with some rain coming in from the west, focused on western Scotland. Largely dry and bright further south as high pressure tries to build from the south-west. Highs 15 to 24C.