Britain set for ‘chilly’ plunge as Met Office guidelines on May showers
Brits are being warned to make the most of the current sunshine, because rain and colder temperatures are reportedly barrelling towards the UK and will stick around for the next few weeks
The UK is being told to brace for rain and cold (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
After a wet start to 2026, the UK has been basking in sunshine for most of the the last two months, with record breaking temperatures of up to 29 degrees bringing Brits some much needed heat. But to the dismay of sun lovers (and to the joy we presume of gardeners and farmers) the wall-to-wall sunshine is forecast to come to an end, with the Met office predicting a drop in temperatures and rain.
From Thursday (May 7), the forecasters are predicting a degree of ‘uncertainty’, with the South and East of England especially at risk of some serious showers.
Their forecast stated: ” There is a lot of uncertainty in the evolution through this period, more so than normal, but overall it would appear that a changeable theme is most likely.”
“Most places are therefore likely to see some rain or showers at times, but also some drier, brighter weather.”
“The emphasis on wetter conditions may be more towards the south and east at first, with low pressure perhaps more likely towards the south or east of the UK, before shifting further north later in the period as low pressure becomes more likely to set up to the north or northeast of the UK.”
“After a cold start to the period, especially in the north, temperatures are likely to return to around average later.”
Frustratingly, the rain and cold look set to continue in the following week, with the Met Office forecast warning of ‘showers’ and ‘longer spells of rain’.
According to the Met: “Low pressure systems are likely to dominate across the UK at the start of this period.”
“This means showers or longer spells of rain are likely at times, heavy in places, with the wettest conditions probably towards the northwest.”
For those in the South, there will be some respite, the Met reckons.
Their forecast predicts that “there will, however, probably be some dry and warm interludes, these more likely towards the south, although temperatures are likely to be close to normal overall.”
The end of May is forecast to bring some slightly more favourable conditions.
The Met wrote: “later in the month, more settled and drier conditions may begin to develop, with temperatures perhaps rising above normal.”
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