Brits are bracing for heavy rain, flooding and even thunderstorms this week as the hopes of a sunny Easter weekend could be dampened for some.
Showers are expected across the north and south west of England and in Wales on Wednesday, with up to 75mm (3 inches) forecast for some areas.
This may result in disruption to roads and railways, while flooding and power cuts are also possible, according to the Met Office.
The agency also warned of ‘isolated thunderstorms’ in the south east of England.
A yellow warning for rain has been issued across Wales and Exeter and Devon from 12pm on Tuesday until 12pm tomorrow.
A second yellow warning has also been imposed on eastern parts of Northern Ireland from 2am to 9pm on Wednesday.
But, there are still hopes for a sunny Easter weekend for a minority, with temperatures hitting the mid teens across the south west and midlands – including highs of 16C in London – on Friday and Saturday.
It comes after Brits swarmed parks and beaches at the weekend to make the most of the recent warm spell, which has since given way to wetter weather and cooler temperatures.
Brits are bracing for heavy rain, flooding and even thunderstorms this week. Pictured: People walking in the heavy rain at Plymouth Hoe on Tuesday
Showers are expected across the north and south west of England and in Wales on Tuesday and Wednesday. Pictured: A dog running in the heavy rain at Plymouth Hoe
A yellow warning for rain has been issued across Wales and Exeter and Devon from 12pm on Tuesday until 12pm tomorrow
A second yellow warning has also been imposed on eastern parts of Northern Ireland from 2am to 9pm on Wednesday
Reading, Milton Keynes, and Cambridge are among the places that will see 15C temperatures on Friday.
On Saturday, highs of 15C are expected across Reading and Brighton, reaching 16C in London and reaching 14C and 15C, respectively, on Sunday.
Met Office chief meteorologist Matthew Lehnert said: ‘After a long spell of high pressure bringing dry weather and sunshine, gloomier and unsettled conditions are on the horizon.
‘Low pressure has become established to the west of the UK, bringing cloud, rain showers, and lower temperatures for many.
‘High rainfall totals are possible, but given the recent dry conditions significant impacts are not anticipated.
‘The situation remains under close watch, with further wet conditions anticipated on Thursday and another weather front moving in on Friday.’
Milford Haven in Wales saw 26mm of rain on Monday night, the Met Office reported, and Eskdalemuir in Scotland had 20mm.
Meanwhile, areas of Newcastle dropped below freezing overnight, while temperatures reached 1C in Scotland.
After a wet start to the week, Thursday is expected to see temperatures of up to 14C in some parts of the south west
Reading, Milton Keynes, and Cambridge are among the places that will see 15C temperatures on Friday
On Saturday, highs of 15C are expected across Reading and Brighton, reaching 16C in London
It is expected to be cooler on Sunday with highs of 14C in Brighton
Dane Broomfield, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, said: ‘Heavy rain and showers today and into Wednesday morning mean surface water flood risk is elevated in some places.
‘Minor surface water flooding is probable across parts of south west England, as well as smaller areas in the North West and the West Midlands.
‘Environment Agency teams will be out on the ground and supporting local authorities in responding to surface water flooding.
‘We urge people not to drive through floodwater – it is often deeper than it looks and just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float your car.’
Georgie Myers, Met Office press officer, said: ‘As low pressure is back in charge this week, there are cooler and more unsettled conditions.
‘There’s a yellow warning for rain from midday on Tuesday until noon on Wednesday covering south-west England, Wales, and the north west of England.
‘Northern Ireland has a yellow warning for rain from tomorrow afternoon into tomorrow evening.’
Met Office spokesman Craig Snell warned on Sunday that this week is ‘going to feel very different’ from the sunshine seen last week across the UK.
People walking in the heavy rain at Plymouth Hoe on Tuesday
Two people walk past a lighthouse on a wet Tuesday in Plymouth Hoe
Towards the end of the week and into the long Easter weekend, Mr Snell said it would become a ‘changeable picture’.
‘Some places will see rain, others some sunshine, depending on where you are in the UK on Thursday and Friday one day will be wetter than the other,’ he said.
‘Not cold by any means, but compared to the first week of the Easter holidays, the second week does look like a bit more of a mixed bag across the UK.’
The change in weather comes after fire chiefs issued a number of wildfire warnings across the UK in recent days.
On Friday, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) said fire and rescue services in England and Wales have responded to 380 wildfires so far this year – more than double the number during the same period in 2022, which went on to be a record year.
After a prolonged dry spell, Mr Snell said the rain will be welcome for some, particularly gardeners and farmers.