Issued: 0900hrs Monday 18th May 2026
Duty forecaster: Simon Keeling

Showery start then rain in the far west but drier east, thundery weekend before turning warm and dry

A mixed start with some heavy showers in the next few days. Wetter in western Scotland and Ireland for the second half of the week. Thundery rain may affect England and Wales on Saturday ahead of all areas becoming drier and significantly warm late in the weekend and into next week.

For the weather for the next few days click here

Thursday 21/5/26
A warm front is going to be bringing lots of moisture, cloud and outbreaks of rain to Scotland on Thursday. The rain will be heavy at times in the west with lots of low cloud and mist over hills and coasts. Further cloud and rain across western Ireland, with some low cloud and drizzle around southern and eastern coast of Ireland. For England and Wales cloud will break and sunny spells will develop, although western coast and hills may have low cloud and drizzle. A warm day where the sun comes through in England at 23C, 21C in central Ireland and 12C in western Scotland but 22C in eastern Scotland.

Friday 22/5/26
High pressure east of the UK on Friday. A front in Scotland bringing rain in the west. Low cloud and drizzle eastern and southern Ireland. Dry and warm England and Wales although always a threat of low cloud and drizzle over western coasts. Highs at 17C western Scotland, 19C in Ireland, 23 to 26C much of England and Wales.
 

Saturday 23/5/26
The risk of some thundering rain developing across parts of England and Wales on Saturday, this extending into Scotland, although hear the rain will be lighter. Brighter in the west and in the east. Highs at 24C in eastern England, 19C in Ireland, 17C over western coasts and hills.


 

Sunday 24/5/26
A ridge of high-pressure building on Sunday. This brings fair conditions to many with good spells of sunshine. The risk of some thundershowers affecting the far south of England. Highs at 19 to 25C.



 
 
 

Monday 25/5/26
High pressure remains over the country on Monday. The risk of some low cloud over eastern coasts at first. For most it will be dry and fair with lots of sunshine, best in the west. Highs at 19 to 24C.

Tuesday 26/5/26
High pressure remains, centred east of the British isles. The chance of some thundery showers in the southwest of England. Most areas dry and fair with the best sunshine in the west. Tops at 19 to 26C.