UK weather: Downpours forecast as temperatures tumble after sunny weekend in lockdown

Temperatures drop to 6C in some parts after highs of 22C on Sunday

Temperatures are set to tumble this week and downpours are on the way after the UK enjoyed another sunny weekend in lockdown.

Weather conditions are expected to turn colder, wetter and more unsettled for much of the country from Monday as temperatures return to average for the time of the year.

Warm weather dominated the UK’s fifth weekend in lockdown, with highs of 22.4C recorded in the Lincolnshire town of Holbeach on Sunday.

But the April showers are expected to arrive this week after Monday got off to a chilly and foggy start for many, with temperatures of 6C recorded in Newcastle upon Tyne and 10C in London.

Met Office forecaster Craig Snell said it is expected to be cloudy with outbreaks of rain across Wales, the Midlands and towards Yorkshire on Monday.

Northern England, Northern Ireland and Scotland will see a bright day with a scattering of showers, while south of the M4 corridor could experience the odd shower.

South of the country, however, will “hang on to the warmer air for one more day”, with London expected to see around 20C again on Monday, he said.

The rest of the UK will see cooler spells, especially in the Midlands, where temperatures could dip to 11C or 12C – a significant drop after the sunny weekend. It will be slightly warmer in the North, with temperatures between 14C and 15C.

On Tuesday, a spell of persistent rain is expected to move across parts of England and Wales, while bright spells and scattered showers continue in Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Another band of rain will push north eastwards on Wednesday, according to the Met Office.

Thursday will see scattered showers – some heavy and thundery – across many parts of the UK.

The forecast has prompted eight flood alerts in parts of southern England.

“On the final day of April, we will actually have a day of April showers across many parts of the UK,” said Mr Snell.

“A much more different picture from this week where places have just seen blue skies and sunshine.

“Next week, there will be a lot more cloud in the sky and for many of us we will see some rain at some point.”

Additional reporting by Press Association