UK weather forecast: Brits braced for heavy showers and gales over weekend as temperatures drop

The UK is set to be battered by strong gales and heavy rail this weekend, but Brits have been warned not to gather indoors due to coronavirus restrictions.

Moving in from Scandinavia, an “unseasonably deep” low-pressure system will move south carrying rain, heavy winds and thunderstorms across the UK, the Met Office said.

The change in the weather comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged the public not to move gatherings indoors if it rains.

His warnings came after the weather dampened considerably from Wednesday, especially in comparison to the blue skies and hot temperatures Britons enjoyed in May.

The nation has enjoyed the sunniest spring since records began in 1929 over the past month, with sun-worshippers enjoying temperatures peaking at 29C.

However, on Friday evening strong winds and rain moved south across Scotland into Northern Ireland and northern England, with temperatures expected to remain chilly.

Met Office forecaster John Griffiths said: “The weekend will begin wet for many, with the heaviest showers over northern and east England by lunchtime.

“London and the south east will also see dark clouds and torrential downpours in the afternoon, while parts Wales will be rainy for most of the day.

“There is a possibility of thunderstorms on the east coast of England by the early afternoon with strong gales hitting the area.”

The rain will then become lighter and more sporadic in northern and central parts of England by the late afternoon on Saturday.

The west of Scotland will be reasonably warm with maximum temperatures of 19C (66.2F), Wales and Northern Ireland will reach 15C (59F), while London and the South East will be 16C (60.8F) .

Mr Griffiths added: “Heavy rainfall will continue moving southward on Sunday, but the day will become drier and brighter in the North West as the day moves on. The South East will be the wettest region by the afternoon.

“Overall it will be the warmer day of the two and showers will begin to fade away by the evening for most.

“This is because of an unseasonably deep low pressure system in the North Sea moving in from the Scandinavian countries.”

In reference to the worsening weather, and speaking at the daily Covid-19 press conference in Downing Street, the Prime Minister reminded people that meeting people indoors who do not live in your household would undermine the progress made in stop the spread of coronavirus during lockdown.

He said: “Some of you may be tempted to move the gatherings you’ve been enjoying outdoors indoors out of the rain. I really urge you: don’t do that.

“We relaxed the rules on meeting outside for a very specific reason because the evidence shows the risks of transmission are much lower outdoors.

“And the risks of passing on the virus are significantly higher indoors which is why gatherings inside other people’s homes are still prohibited.

“Breaking these rules now could undermine and reverse all the progress that we’ve made together.

“I have no doubt that won’t happen.”