Britons are facing a mixed bag of weather conditions on the Easter bank holiday, with forecasters warning of heavy rain and potential flooding on Easter Monday.
The Met Office has predicted a “changeable” weekend with both warm sunshine and frequent showers across the country.
Monday is expected to bring the worst conditions, with widespread downpours threatening to turn the final day of the holiday into a washout.
The Environment Agency has issued multiple flood warnings across the country following previous weather warnings for rain.
Met Office predicts heavy downpours on bank holday Monday
Met Office
Eight flood warnings remain in place in Hertfordshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire and County Durham.
In Scotland, flood warnings cover Glasgow, Argyll and Bute, Ayrshire and Lanarkshire.
The Environment Agency has also placed 13 flood warnings around Oxford, Reading, Exeter and Plymouth areas.
On Easter Monday the mercury is expected to drop with daytime maximum temperatures falling to between 12-14C.
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On Easter Monday maximum temperatures are expected to fall to between 12-14C
Met Office
This temperature dip coincides with the anticipated heavier rainfall across many parts of the country.
Outbreaks of rain are expected across Northern Ireland and western Scotland today, with more widespread downpours forecast for Easter Monday.
The southeast will see showers this morning before clearing later in the day.
Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Steven Skeates said: “Easter Sunday looks to be the widely drier day of the weekend.”
Monday will also be blustery in the south with strong wind gusts
Met Office
He added: “Things probably turn a little more unsettled again on Monday, with outbreaks of rain/showers in the south and west, tending to spread northwards and perhaps becoming heavy at times.”
Shifting focus to pollen counts, the national forecaster added that levels are then expected to drop to ‘moderate’ in East Anglia and the southeast on Monday.
The Met Office has revealed when Britons can expect a return to more settled weather following the Easter washout.
Forecasters predict unsettled conditions will continue throughout much of April with showers or longer spells of rain across many regions.
However, towards the end of April and into early May, high pressure is expected to dominate.
“Later next week and into the following week, settled weather is expected to become more prevalent, with more in the way of dry, sunny weather developing,” the Met Office said.
The Met Office forecast suggests May could bring more favourable conditions for those looking forward to warmer weather.
Temperatures are expected to be “near or slightly above average” during this period.
“Late April into early May will probably see a good deal of settled weather with high pressure patterns most likely to dominate,” the forecaster said.
This improved outlook follows what has been a disappointing Easter weekend for many, with rain spoiling outdoor plans across the country.
