Your support helps us to tell the story Read more Support Now From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it. Your support makes all the difference. Read more

After a bright and sunny start for many this early May bank holiday, the weather is set to give way to wetter, more unsettled conditions going into next week.

While temperatures are expected to reach 25C in eastern England on Saturday, other parts of the country will see heavy downpours with thunderstorms possible at times.

The weather will remain unsettled throughout the bank holiday weekend, and temperatures are expected to fall below 20C across the country by Monday after a long week of warmth for many.

Meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said: “Temperatures are starting to come down but in the sunnier moments it is still above average for the time of year.

“We are seeing a change to more unsettled weather at the same time.”

Live map: UK rain forecast

Wet weather and heavy downpours are expected in southern parts of the UK across the weekend, the Met Office has predicted.

Meteorologist Alex Deakin said: “Northern areas may well be largely dry through the weekend...but certainly in the south there will be showers.

He said some areas in the south of England could get a “real soaking”.

Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge said: “On Saturday, we've got the prospect of some quite heavy, thundery showers coming…into parts of southern England.

open image in gallery Many Brits enjoyed sunny spells early on Saturday ( AFP/Getty )

“We've got quite widespread showers overnight Saturday and into Sunday, and then we'll start to see from Sunday onwards, a cooler influence coming in, bringing some showers .”

Wet weather will continue on Sunday for many parts of England and Wales, with rain also possible across southern Scotland. The rain should ease throughout the day, with brighter spells developing in certain places, but one or two heavy showers or thunderstorms could take place.

Monday will remain changeable, with lingering cloud and scattered showers across southern and central areas, the forecaster said. These should be lighter and fewer than over the weekend.

Live map: UK temperature forecast

The warmest weather over the weekend is forecast for Saturday, where temperatures in parts of England could reach 25C.

Mr Madge said: “For Saturday, in some places, temperatures will get quite high, possibly 25C, and that's likely to be centred in places in the East Midlands, Nottingham, Leicester, Peterborough, and Cambridge.”

The Met Office has forecast temperatures in the mid-to-late teens on Sunday for parts of Wales and the south of England, while the north of the UK is likely to see slightly cooler weather.

Scotland and Northern Ireland will have a fresher feel overall, with fewer and lighter showers on Sunday. Temperatures will be near average in northern areas, while parts of the southeast could still feel fairly warm where cloud breaks occur later in the day.

On Monday, temperatures in the low teens are forecast for some parts of northern Scotland. The weather will feel fresher and cooler in the north and north east, with light to moderate winds and temperatures close to average.

The north of England could see average highs of around 15C and the south of England could see temperatures reach 17C.

open image in gallery There will be bright interludes over the weekend ( PA )

Met Office weather forecast

This Evening and Tonight:

Widespread and at times heavy rain will spread northwards across much of England and Wales, with conditions becoming drier later in the far south. Cloudy across Scotland, with showers across Northern Ireland, these slowly easing. Remaining mild overnight.

Sunday:

Persistent rain pushing northwards, this lingering across northern England. Sunshine and showers, locally heavy, breaking out in the south with the driest and brightest conditions across the northern Scotland.

Outlook for Monday to Wednesday:

Fewer showers around on Monday, heavy and thundery. Turning cooler into early next week with a mix of sunny spells and showers, but these generally lighter than the weekend.