Met Office weather: Sunshine and warm temperatures despite some cloud a drizzle

The weather for Thursday and Friday will bring variable conditions with a mix of sunshine, cloud cover, and rain, affecting various regions across the UK.

The weather on Thursday will be quite variable, with a significant amount of cloud cover across many regions. However, there will be some sunshine, particularly in central and northwestern areas. Coastal regions near the North Sea may experience isolated drizzle, but most parts of the country will remain dry. There is a chance of a few afternoon showers in Wales and southwestern England. Temperatures will be rather warm in the west, while other areas will see temperatures closer to average, with some coastal regions feeling a bit chilly due to the wind.

As night falls, cloud and rain will slowly move eastward across Northern Ireland and into parts of western Scotland, with some heavy rain expected at times. The far southwest may also see a little light rain or drizzle. Elsewhere, clear spells will dominate, but fog patches may develop in parts of the south and west. Larger areas of cloud will feed inland from the North Sea, and there is a possibility of patchy rural frost from southern and southeastern England to northern Scotland. Winds will increase in the northwest, becoming fresh to strong around coasts and exposed headlands by Thursday night.

Outlook for Friday

Friday will start with any isolated fog patches quickly clearing. Low cloud will lift and break, allowing for sunny spells in many areas, making it feel fairly warm in light winds away from North Sea coasts. However, outbreaks of rain, locally heavy, will affect Northern Ireland and possibly far western Britain at times, where it will be breezy. A few showers may develop ahead of this over Wales. Temperatures will feel warm in the sunshine and light winds, with highs of 15-17°C, locally reaching 18°C, though cooler along North Sea coasts.

During the night, the rain band will make slow and uncertain eastward progress into Scotland, Wales, and western England, gradually fragmenting. Fog patches may form over Northern Ireland after the rain clears. Elsewhere, there will be variable cloud cover and clear spells, with local grass frost and isolated fog patches forming. Friday night will be chilly with local grass frost, mainly in the east, while Northern Ireland may see a late dip in temperatures depending on the timing of frontal clearance.

Clare Nasir, Met Office presenter and meteorologist, said: " This Thursday morning is fine for many, we are chasing cloud a little bit this morning but a ridge of high pressure has extended from the north keeping things fairly settled.

“Through this morning it’s a mix of cloud and fine weather. We’re seeing more clouds across southern counties and the odd spot or two of rain can’t be ruled out. The cloud is more broken across west Wales and northwest England and further east that cloud is more stubborn as we start the day.

“A mix of cloud and sunshine so a fine start across Northern Ireland with a few showers lurking across the Irish Sea, you may find one or two of those just clipping the Isle of Man.

“We should see some fine conditions through the day, the best of the sunshine will always be towards the west.

“Temperatures will be 12°C to 13°C across the eastern side, further west in shelter with some sunshine will see 16°C, 17°C, even 18°C. A fine afternoon to come and warm in that sunshine.

Through this evening and overnight, yet again some clearer skies. The cloud will drift across the east of England as well as Scotland as rain arrives around midnight across Northern Ireland.

“Through Friday more cloud and rain arrives across Northern Ireland with some outbreaks of rain and the wind picks up some strength. This weather front will make inroads towards much of Scotland, England, and Wales as we head through into the weekend with showers to follow.”

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