Showers and rain are expected to dominate the weather in the UK this week / Image: File
After a period of warmer and drier weather in parts of the country, most of the UK faces a cooler and more unsettled week, as bands of rain, sunshine and showers move across the country.The Met Office says Monday will start with a wet and breezy start in many areas, especially across England and Wales, before conditions gradually improve from the west.
However, the improvement is unlikely to last for long, as widespread rain is expected to spread across the UK in the coming days.Meteorologists said that rain will continue to head southeast throughout the day, then gradually subside later in the afternoon and evening.Northern Ireland and Scotland started the day with a mix of sunshine and frequent rain, and this rainy pattern is expected to extend to many other parts of the UK by the end of the day.The Met Office said temperatures would remain lower than many people would normally expect in early June, with brisk winds adding to the chill in many areas.Travelers in parts of southern England may experience difficult travel conditions during periods of heavy rainfall, while outdoor events may experience disruptions as the rain passes.Conditions are expected to become drier for some time across much of England and Wales during Monday evening with the main band of rain finally disappearing.
However, forecasters warn that rain will continue to affect Northern Ireland and Scotland before spreading southwards overnight to other parts of the country.When skies remain clear for longer periods, temperatures may drop significantly, resulting in a fairly cold night by June standards. Rural areas and protected sites are likely to see the coolest conditions before dawn.Tuesday is expected to bring a classic mix of early summer sunshine and rain across the UK.Many areas will enjoy bright spells during the day, but widespread rainfall is expected, especially in northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.The Met Office says some of this rain could become heavy and thundery, producing short bursts of heavy rain and gusty winds.Despite the sunshine, temperatures are expected to remain cool at this time of year, with many locations struggling to regain the warmth seen in recent weeks.The broader outlook suggests little change during the middle and latter part of the week.Wednesday is expected to witness more sunshine and rain in many areas. Another area of rain is expected to move east across the country on Thursday before calming down and allowing sunshine and scattered rain to return on Friday.While most parts of the UK will remain cooler than average, the far south-east of England could start to see slightly warmer conditions by the end of the week.The general message from the Met Office is that the UK will remain in a variable weather pattern, with no long period of settled summer weather currently in sight.For those planning travel, outdoor activities or sporting events, it will be helpful to keep an umbrella on hand and check the local forecast regularly as conditions continue to change from day to day.
