UK weather: Met Office warns of ‘chilly start’ to VE Day celebrations as temperatures plunge after May Day scorcher
VE DAY celebrations are kicking off with a chill as temperatures drop after the warm weekend, the Met Office warns.
Brits are packing away their barbecues after soaking up the 29C sun last week with a bright but brisk weather on the way.
The Met Office predicted temperatures would plunge from the near-30s down to the single digits on the bank holiday.
Monday starts off at a bitter 3C in both Southampton, Aberdeen, and Oxford with other parts of the UK not straying too far.
Norwich and Hull stand at 5C and Manchester and Newcastle only just bump up to 6C.
This will come as a shock to Brits after enjoying the hottest recorded May Day – and meteorologists warn “cooler weather” and “showers” are on the way.
The Met Office said: “After provisionally the warmest May Day on record in the UK, higher than average temperatures will subside over the weekend, with cooler weather and isolated showers on the way for some.”
“A dry and bright start for many on Bank Holiday Monday :sunny:
A little cloudier across southeast England with scattered showers.
“After a chilly start, temperatures will rise to around average through the day.”
Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Tony Wisson added: “The recent very warm weather for the time of year is subsiding over the weekend as a weak cold front moves over the UK.
“We expect cooler temperatures as the front pushes south. This cooler air will also help introduce isolated showers across eastern parts, but it should stay drier further west.”
Tony explained that the contrast will give the chill that extra bite as temperatures have flipped from above the Spring average to below.
Temperatures will struggle to push past the single-digit mark despite it being sunny in places.
The Met Office forecasts temperatures will reach a maximum of 15C or 16C on the south coast of England today but said northern parts of the UK would barely jump into double figures.
Thousands of people are expected to line the streets for the spectacle which includes a Churchill speech performance by actor Timothy Spall, a flypast including the Red Arrows, and a military procession of 1,300 members of the armed forces.
It was predicted the morning would start “bright for many”, with showers across Lincolnshire and down into south-east England.
But in the afternoon most areas will be “dry with sunny spells”, with more sun around for eastern and northern parts of the country compared to Sunday.
There is a slim chance of some rain on Monday in central London for the VE Day procession.
Street parties, picnics and community celebrations will also take place across the UK on Monday ahead of the anniversary on May 8.
The King, the Queen, the Prime Minister and Second World War veterans will watch the festivities from a platform on the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace.
Thankfully, after a bit of bank holiday briskness, it’ll start to warm up, with any drizzle starting to dry up as well.
Temperatures will bump up to average from Monday and slowly rise from then.
If you’re in eastern England there’s a chance of a few light showers but elsewhere, it’s all calm and cosy with clear skies on the cards.
Those in Northern Ireland or western Scotland, keep an eye out for a few sneaky fog patches rolling in.
“From Tuesday onwards, we’re likely to see a very gradual increase in temperatures day on day, though not to the levels of warmth we’ve seen recently,” Tony concluded.
“High pressure will continue to dominate the UK weather next week, bringing largely dry weather and variable cloud amounts.”
Most of us will soak up the sunny spells on Tuesday, but northern Scotland and parts of southeast England might feel a bit left out with cloudier skies and scattered showers.
Winds will stay gentle for most, but it’ll be a bit brisker down in the southeast.
By the time next weekend swings by there is a chance Brits will be basking in the low 20s once again.
UK 5 day weather forecast
Today:
Breezy in the southeast today with scattered showers. Largely dry elsewhere with patchy cloud and sunny spells, although the odd shower possible at times across England. Feeling pleasant in the sunshine, but cooler around coasts with an onshore breeze.
Tonight:
A few light showers possible tonight in eastern England. Dry elsewhere with largely clear skies and a patchy frost. A few fog patches possible in Northern Ireland and western Scotland.
Tuesday:
Dry for most with sunny spells, but cloudier in northern Scotland and parts of southeast England, with scattered showers. Light winds for most, but brisk winds in the southeast.
Outlook for Wednesday to Friday:
High pressure will dominate, bringing dry weather for most and sunny spells. However, skies will be cloudier at times in the south with drizzly showers, particularly in the southeast.