Met Office warns Easter bank holiday weekend could be wiped out

Forecasters have warned of the potential for heavy rain over the coming Easter weekend, just weeks after England experienced its wettest 18 months since records began in 1836.

Met Office data shows the meteorological winter from December to the end of last month was one of the wettest on record. Many parts of southern England received well over twice the average rainfall last month, causing flooding and travel disruption.

Forecasters are predicting rain will return over the bank holiday weekend at the end of the month. This is in stark contrast to Wednesday – the first day of spring – when temperatures hit 18C in England.

The Met Office’s long-term forecast for the next two weeks, including the bank holiday weekend from Friday 29 March to Monday 1 April, says rain is likely to fall at times here and there.

“The most likely outcome from the bank holiday weekend into the following week remains unsettled or changeable weather,” the forecast states. “Further rainfall or showers are possible at times in all areas, with some dryness in between. Period. Wetter weather tends to favor the Southwest, while northern areas remain a bit dry on average.”

Temperatures are likely to continue to be close to normal for this time of year, the forecast adds.

There were 57 flood warnings and 190 flood warnings in place across England last month, with several warnings in force in Wales as heavy rain caused flooding on roads and rail lines.

Several schools in Herefordshire and Worcestershire have been closed due to “dangerous” road conditions caused by rising water levels and rain falling on already saturated ground. Many roads in the West Midlands were flooded and some rail services were replaced by buses.

Farmers said crops were damaged, leading to reduced yields of some vegetables such as cauliflower.

In early January, more than 1,000 homes were flooded and rivers burst their banks across the country.

Met Office forecaster Simon Partridge said weather-wise it was still a long way from the Easter Bank Holiday weekend at this stage, but added: “Some models suggest conditions could be even worse by Monday. Stable, but that comes with a lot of uncertainty.” At this time.

“Confidence in the forecast will increase as the time approaches, especially after the upcoming weekend.”

Experts say weather will become unsettled in much of the UK in the run-up to Easter early next week, with two weather systems bringing rain or showers to most areas, strong winds in some areas and temperatures close to sub-zero temperatures. Normal at the end of March.

Northern England is likely to remain relatively dry, with some wintry showers possible in northern Scotland on Monday.

Meteorological Bureau 4-day outlook

Thursday:

There are low clouds and fog in the south, the weather is basically dry, and the sunshine is hazy. Rain and strong winds from the north moving to the southeast, with sunshine and strong wind showers behind.

Friday to Sunday:

It gets colder on Friday and Saturday with sunshine and windy showers, possibly wintry to the north and west. Showers are gradually easing in the west on Sunday.