May days bring a warm glow to see off the showers
April showers have arrived in a last-gasp burst this year, spending the past few days turning the grass in gardens that had gone weeks without rain back to lush green, but battering down the last of the blossom. They have even crept into the start of May, but today should see a return to the dry, sunny weather that previously had been making our hour of exercise under lockdown such a pleasant release from the four walls of our homes.
After yesterday’s coating of cloud, skies this morning will be bluer as high pressure builds in, banishing the last remnants of the rain. Only at opposite ends of the country is there risk of showers, with a low pressure system nudging the south-western corner of England and the Channel Islands, and rain creeping into the far north of Scotland. Both will see temperatures depressed – 15C (59F) in Plymouth, and just 10C (50F) in Aberdeen. Elsewhere, the further south you go, the higher the mercury. Glasgow and Edinburgh will manage 14C (57F), Liverpool 15C (59F), Birmingham 16C (61F) and London and Cardiff 17C (63F).
Monday will see the high pressure strengthening its grip on the UK, and bringing dry, settled conditions to most parts. But on the east coast, anywhere from East Anglia to Fife, a strong onshore sea breeze could dampen the spring-like feel.
Overall, though, the early May sunshine will be strong by day, pushing temperatures up to over 20C (68F) so we can get our value out of the new garden furniture so many have reportedly been buying online. As we move into Wednesday and the latter part of the week, the gradual warming effect will be dialled up with the arrival of mild air from the south, where Spain has been enjoying 30C (86F) sunshine.