Overview

• The Met Office confirms that an Atlantic system will bring heavy rain and strong winds starting later this week, marking the end of the UK's unusually dry and sunny spring.
• Showers are expected to begin on May 20, with unsettled conditions persisting through the Bank Holiday weekend, though some sunny intervals are likely.
• Spring 2025 has already recorded more sunshine hours than the entirety of last summer, raising concerns about drought risks across the country.
• A mini-heatwave is predicted for early June, with temperatures potentially reaching 24°C in southeastern England by June 2–3.
• Meteorologists suggest a possible return to high-pressure systems and warmer weather as summer progresses, following the unsettled spell.