Weather warnings for rain dampen hopes of sunny bank holiday weekend

Those still hoping to catch some rays over the bank holiday weekend are more likely to need their brollies than their bikinis after forecasters issued three weather warnings for rain over the next four days.

The first yellow warning for wet weather will come into force at 4pm this afternoon for Northern Ireland and on Saturday the second weather warning predicts heavy rainfall for all of the north of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Those living in the southern half of the country will not escape the deluge as the third weather warning, in place for 24 hours from lunchtime on Sunday to 12pm on bank holiday Monday, predicts torrential thundery outbreaks are likely in places with the possibility of localised flooding.

Exeter-based Met Office spokesman Oli Clayton said: “The key thing I would point out is a lot of the rainfall that's likely to come over the weekend is showers and some may get it and some may not.

“It is variable but where those showers do occur they could be quite intense.”

Sun lovers should make the most of Friday when the mercury is expected to hit 30C (86F) in northern Scotland, he said, adding: “It's an absolutely gorgeous day, there is lots of sunshine around.

“There is some cloud starting to move into western Northern Ireland but otherwise it is a clear and sunny day for the rest of Great Britain.”

Mr Clayton said the temperatures would remain high overnight (15/16C or 59/61F) and into Saturday, with the warmest places likely to be Aviemore, Scotland (27C or 81F) and London, which could have temperatures of up to 29C (84F).

He said the rain in Northern Ireland was expected to become more persistent and spread eastwards to western Scotland and the north of England.

Meanwhile the south can expect to see morning showers but a brighter afternoon.

Mr Clayton said of Sunday: “If you were to draw a line from the Wash (East Anglia) to the Bristol Channel, anywhere south of that is likely to get fairly intense thundery showers.”

“Not everyone will necessarily see them but where you do see them they will be quite intense.”

In Scotland Sunday will feel much cooler than recent days as temperatures are expected to dip to highs of 18C (64F).

The inclement weather is expected to continue on Monday with cloud, scattered showers and the lowest high temperatures of the weekend are expected to be recorded in London (20/21C or 68/70F).

For anyone worried that the sun will come out on Tuesday when they have to go back to work, Mr Claydon said it was not going to happen as another front is set to move in from the west bringing more cloud and rain.