Warm weather to make way for bank holiday tradition ... rain

The warmest weather of the year so far was expected in parts of England today, with temperatures reaching up to 23C – but don't switch to the summer wardrobe or fire up the barbecue just yet. The early May bank holiday will have a damp, cool start, say forecasters. Monday could see temperatures 10 degrees below the unseasonably high levels enjoyed by some this week. The weekend is unlikely to be particularly sunny either. Paul Knightley, a forecaster at MeteoGroup , the weather division of the Press Association, said average temperatures for this time of year were usually around 15C but "could reach 23C in the London area today if we can get some good spells of sunshine. There is a reasonable chance we could have the hottest day of the year today." The Met Office predicts rain could spread across much of the UK by dawn tomorrow but conditions will be much drier by Sunday. Knightley said: "The south-east has been pretty warm over the last few days but unfortunately it is not going to last into the bank holiday weekend. Low pressure will spread from the west over the next 48 hours. "The east and west will have a very showery day on Saturday," he said. "Some northern parts will not be as bad but will be turning cooler because the winds will be coming in from the north. "It is predicted temperatures on Sunday will be 6C but could reach up to 11C. Scotland could reach anywhere between 7C and 10C." Monday would be the best day of the weekend, mostly dry with temperatures around 12C.