Most of the UK will enjoy dry and sunny weather this weekend, but Arctic air is expected to bring colder temperatures next week, dropping into single digits.
Key points
Dry and sunny weather expected for most of the UK this weekend
Chilly Arctic air will lower temperatures next week
Temperatures may fall into single digits
Warmer conditions anticipated in southern areas
Chance of rain for some during the weekend
Periods of dry and sunny weather are on the cards for most of the UK this weekend before chilly Arctic air sends temperatures falling into the single digits next week.
If you've got outdoor plans this weekend the good news is that most will experience dry and sunny weather at times, despite the chance of rain for some.
Warmer conditions are also expected across southern areas for a time, before temperatures drop through the weekend.
Next week could bring even chillier weather as winds from a general northerly direction start to dominate.
Weekend to bring warm sunshine for some
Some of the warmest weather of this coming week is forecast on Saturday, although this will be confined to southern and central parts of England.
With light south-westerly winds and some reasonable spells of sunshine, temperatures in southern counties and the Midlands could reach highs of between 19 and 21 Celsius (66-71F). The May average temperature in these areas is 16 or 17 Celsius (61-63F).
Temperatures will be much closer to the seasonal average elsewhere across the country, though it may feel rather cool in the cloudier moments.
Cloudiest will be parts of south-east Scotland and northern England, where a weather front will bring a spell of rain for many through the day.
Showers are also possible for a few in northern Scotland as well as Wales and south-west England.
UK maps, one showing temperatures ranging from 8 Celsius in Lerwick to 21 Celsius in London on Saturday. The second may shows Sundays temperatures of between 6 Celsius in Lerwick to 17 Celsius in Plymouth. The UK May average is between 12 and 17 Celsius.
Image caption,
The weekend begins warm across southern areas before cooler air in the north spreads to all areas.
Gardeners and growers across the northern half of the UK will then need to be on alert on Saturday night as a frost is possible.
Temperatures will also have dropped across southern parts on Sunday as a cold weather front bringing patchy overnight drizzle clears south.
However, it does mean that many of us will have a dry day on Sunday, and certainly a much brighter one compared to Saturday for northern England and south-east Scotland.
Q&A
What is the weather forecast for the UK this weekend?
The weather forecast for the UK this weekend includes dry and sunny conditions for most areas, although some may experience occasional rain.
How cold will temperatures get in the UK next week?
Next week, temperatures in the UK are expected to drop into the single digits due to incoming Arctic air.
Will southern areas of the UK experience warmer weather this weekend?
Yes, warmer conditions are expected across southern areas of the UK for a time this weekend.
What weather changes should we expect after the weekend in the UK?
After the weekend, colder weather is anticipated as northerly winds bring a significant drop in temperatures.
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Showery rain will be limited to northern Scotland and perhaps the Channel Islands.
Blustery winds through the English Channel and across southern England and Wales will add to the cooler feel, but despite temperatures dropping a little elsewhere too the strength of the May sun should still make it feel pleasant.
Temperatures to drop further as Arctic air arrives
If you've seen forecasts of snow next week flash up on your social media feed over the last few days, you may be thinking that winter is about to return.
While snow is not expected over the vast majority of the UK, it is true that rather cool conditions for May are set to dominate.
With high pressure centred to the west of the UK, winds will mainly come from that chillier northerly direction. During the second half of the week our air will have originated from around the Arctic Circle in northern Scandinavia.
Daytime temperatures for most will be much colder than normal at 9-14 Celsius (48-57F) in many areas.
Areas of low pressure crossing southwards across the country will bring a greater likelihood of rain and, like last week, some snow in Shetland and the Scottish mountains cannot be ruled out.
As well as snow, last week also brought the UK its coldest May conditions for nearly 30 years. Tomintoul in Moray, Scotland recorded a low of -6.8C (20F) on the night of the 5/6 May. This was the lowest temperature recorded in May since 1997 when the same temperature was reported at Leadhills, Lanarkshire.
Further night frosts are expected in places during the week ahead.
Snowflakes falling across a green landscape, with a shed and glass fence in the foregroundImage source, BBC WEATHERWATCHERS/WEATHER WATCHER WENDY
Image caption,
Snow briefly fell in the showers across Shetland on Wednesday
Huge variation in May temperatures
Spring is a transition season, notorious for big ups and downs in temperature.
Wind direction is often key. Winds from a general northerly tap into air that is still fairly cold in and around the Arctic. At the same time, the higher and stronger sun is warming up continental Europe and winds from the south can easily bring surges of heat. Even without the wind, that stronger sunshine can temper any chill during daylight hours.
The UK's highest May temperature was 32.8C (91F), recorded at locations in London and south-east England on 29 May 1944.
Last year brought the warmest ever start to May with a high of 29.3C (84.7F) at Kew Gardens, London on 1 May 2025.
However cold weather can also leave its mark.
In May 1941 overnight temperatures at Lynford, Norfolk fell to -9.4C (15.1F) on both the fourth and 11th of the month.
Significant snow can also occur.
Birmingham had its worst May snowstorm for 60 years in 1955, and wintry weather returned to the city on 2 May 1979 with snow blanketing many areas for the bank holiday.
