Sunshine to arrive in time for bank holiday weekend
After unseasonably cold temperatures, we are finally in for some warmer weather
Last updated 27th May 2021
After an unseasonably cold May, the UK is finally set for some warmer weather, just in time for the bank holiday weekend!
While last year's May weather brought us high temperatures and blue skies, this year we have seen the 10th wettest May on record.
However, light (in the form of blazing sunshine) is finally at the end of the tunnel, with temperatures around the UK looking to hit 20 degrees.
While this can't quite be considered a heatwave, a spokesperson for the Met Office said temperatures would "feel pleasant in the sunshine".
The Met Office said temperatures will hit 20c on Saturday sparking 10 days of warm and dry weather.
By the end of the bank holiday weekend, temperatures could possibly reach 25c in West London.
Leeds could reach 21c and Newcastle could hit 22c.
Most areas will see sun on Saturday morning and it's forecast to stay mainly dry, although West Scotland and Northern Ireland might see rain on Monday.
Temperatures look set to remain in the 20s until the middle of next week, although there is less certainty about the weather beyond Wednesday, according to the Met Office.
Grahame Madge from the Met Office, said: “There will be a transition from cold weather into a fine and settled period of weather over the bank holiday and early parts of next weeks.
“Areas on the east coast may be cooler because of a breeze from the North Sea.
“Most areas should see some sunshine this weekend.
“It may feel cooler in the mornings.”
Enjoy the weather but 'use common sense'
The good weather is likely to be welcome news for businesses and customers alike, with the prospect of a beer garden much more tempting when there's less risk of your pint being watered down by rain!
However, Conservative frontbencher and health minister Lord Bethell is urging the public to "behave in a responsible fashion, to act with caution and to use common sense” ahead of the long weekend.
Either way, make sure you remember your sun cream before heading out as according to the Met Office, UV levels have been increasing despite the cloud cover.
Get that summer feeling with these summer songs...
1. Calvin Harris - 'Summer'
Released in 2014, Calvin Harris' 'Summer' became the superstar DJ's fourth Number 1 in the UK and we still love it to this day. It's time to turn up the tunes!
Watch the music video on YouTube
2. DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - 'Summertime'
What a throwback this is! For many, this track is synonymous with summer, reaching Number 8 in 1991 this was a huge hit for Will Smith (The Fresh Prince) and continues to be added to summer playlists all over the world.
Watch the music video on YouTube
3. DJ Sammy - 'The Boys of Summer'
This 2002 cover of the Don Henley classic, reached Number 2 in the charts and has become a classic for another generation. This song gives us proper summer vibes all round.
Watch the music video on YouTube
4. Girls Aloud – 'Long Hot Summer'
'Long Hot Summer' was the first song from Girls Aloud's third album, 'Chemistry' and was a Top 10 single for the girls.
The music video for the song was influenced by the film Herbie: Fully Loaded, however it never featured on the soundtrack for the film.
Watch the music video on YouTube
5. Taylor Swift - 'Cruel Summer'
'Cruel Summer' originally featured on Taylor Swift's 2019 album 'Lover', however after she featured it on her 'Eras' set list, the song went viral, and was officially released as a single in 2023.
Listen to the song on YouTube.
6. Lonyo - 'Summer of Love'
'Summer of Love' was Lonyo's debut song back in 2000. The song samples 'Cruel Desilusion' by Oscar D'LeĂłn's group, La Critica, released back in 1978, and went to Number 8 in the UK.
Watch the music video on YouTube.
7. Lana Del Rey vs. Cedric Gervais - 'Summertime Sadness'
In 2012 Lana Del Rey released 'Summertime Sadness', but it wasn't until a year later with a remix by Cedric Gervais that it became really popular. The remixed song eventually won a Grammy in 2014 for Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical.
Watch the music video on YouTube.
Hear the latest news on Downtown on FM, DAB, smart speaker or the Rayo app.