UK weather 'thunder' maps reveal exact date 600-mile Atlantic storm will lash Britain

Brits are set for and later this month as the sunshine and blue skies come to an abrupt end with a 600 mile wall of showers. A high pressure system has been sitting close to the UK giving mainly dry over the past week although temperatures did dip over the bank holiday weekend.

Over the coming days the mercury is expected to rise again into the 20Cs and that is the picture for the middle of the month. But looking further ahead and maps for WXCharts show bands of wet weather sweeping in from the Atlantic for the final 10 days of May.

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On the evening of May 20 a low pressure sits over southern Ireland and there will be heavy rain in the UK. The band sweeps the country with only parts of northern escaping the downpours.

The worst hit areas with seven or eight millimetres falling will be in the northwest of England as well as south Wales, the Midlands and the south coast.

In the early hours of May 21 the rain by this time will have swept the whole country including northern Scotland. In fact the worst affected areas will be in southern parts of Scotland, with more than seven millimetres of rain falling, but also in the southeast of England, the Midlands and generally in the north of England there will be two to three millimetres.

A further rain chart showing total rainfall on the evening of May 21 indicates that more than 50 millimetres could fall especially in the west of the country.

The forecast for this period also tells of possible thunderstorms. It states: “Fairly typical weather for the time of year is most likely through this period.

"Overall, fine and dry weather is more likely to dominate although this will be interspersed with occasional spells of rain and showers, with a risk of heavy rain and thunderstorms in places. Overall, temperatures will most likely be near to or slightly above average.”

Before that though we can generally enjoy warm weather over the coming days. Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Tony Wisson said: "From Tuesday onwards we’re likely to see a very gradual increase in temperatures day on day, though not to the levels of warmth we've seen recently.

"High pressure will continue to dominate the UK weather next week, bringing largely dry weather and variable cloud amounts.”

Met Office weather outlook Today:

Generally dry today with sunny spells. Skies will be rather cloudy at times across eastern England, with a few showers at times. Feeling warm in the sunshine, but cooler in a brisk wind across the southeast.

Tonight:

Dry for most, but a few showers continuing along eastern coasts. Clear spells will allow temperatures to fall and a patchy frost. A few mist and fog patches also possible.

Wednesday:

Most places will be fine and dry with sunny intervals. Rather warm in the west, but a touch cooler in the southeast with a strong breeze and a few showers.

Outlook for Thursday to Saturday:

Staying mostly dry, with sunny intervals and a few isolated showers. Feeling warm in the sunny spells, but chilly at time around southern coasts with brisk winds. Chilly nights.