You might need sunblock and a brolly

IF you’re heading out this Bank Holiday weekend, you might be advised to have both sunscreen and a brolly handy.

But the South should fare better, with the North set for a wet and windy end to the summer break, forecasters have said.

The North West of England is expecting scattered heavy showers today and there could even be thunder up in Scotland.

Meanwhile the South should be dry and bright, with sunny spells and patchy clouds – reaching highs of 25C (77F).

Scotland and the North West are expected to have ‘various spots’ of cloudy weather tomorrow too, with some scattered showers as temperatures peak at a mild 18C (64F). In contrast the South will again enjoy temperatures around 25C.

But Sunday will be mixed across the UK as rain gradually makes its way down the country – meaning most families will have to pack waterproofs for at least part of the weekend.

Bank Holiday Monday promises a return to dry and bright weather in the South, however. A Met Office spokesman said: ‘There’s going to be quite a lot of bright and warm weather, especially across the southern half of the UK. On Friday... a fair part of the country should be dry. [On Saturday] the rain continues to move its way eastward but it’s mostly Scotland. That will die away and turn into scattered showers.

‘Sunday is similar, although there could be an isolated heavy shower across central England.

‘The only difference to the weekend comes on Monday when we get a deep, low pressure system moving from the Atlantic that will increase rain and cloud in Northern and Western areas.’

There might be one positive Britons can draw from the decidedly damp summer. The Forestry Commission claims the wet weather has speeded up trees’ sugar production – the process which colours leaves. This should create a fantastic display of vibrant autumn leaves lasting well into winter, the experts say.