Britons are set for a mixed‑weather bank holiday weekend, with the Met Office warning of rain and thunder on Sunday night and Monday morning before a sunny, 26°C high on Friday, May 22. The temperature surge could make the UK feel hotter than Barcelona, marking the warmest day recorded so far this year.

Met Office forecasts 26°C on Friday, May 22

The national weather service says the mercury could climb to 26°C at 4 p.m. on Friday, a figure that would eclipse any other temperature logged in the UK this year. Craig Snell, a forecaster at the Met Office, noted that the change is expected as the week progresses,turning “noticeably warmer and drier” after Thursday. This high would place the UK ahead of Spain’s Barcelona, a rare comparative brag for a typically cooler climate .

Stormy showers to batter England and Wales Sunday night

Rainfall is forecast to hit most of England and Wales Sunday night into Monday morning, with the western regions facing the heaviest, possibly thundery, showers. The Met Office describes the early‑week weather as “changeable, if not unsettled,” warning that the rain could linger into the early hours of the bank holiday, disrupting outdoor plans for many.

Temperatures stay below 20°C early in the week

While the weekend promises sunshine , forecasters expect a cooler spell for the first half of the week, with highs failing to break 20°C. This dip reflects the lingering influence of a recent Atlantic front, keeping the early days of the bank holiday relatively mild before the anticipated warm-up later on.

Brits may out‑heat Barcelona for the first time this summer

If the forecast holds, the UK’s 26°C reading would surpass the typical summer highs in Barcelona, a city known for its Mediterranean warmth. This unusual reversal highlights how shiifting jet‑stream patterns are delivering atypical heat to northern latitudes, a trend observed across Europe in recent months.

Will the forecast hold for the whole weekend?

The Met Office’s model is clear about a sunny Friday, but uncertainty remains for Saturday and Sunday. Will the rain clear quickly enough for beach‑goers, or will lingering showers dampen the holiday spirit? The service has not provided a detailed outlook for the Saturday‑Sunday period, leaving holiday planners to watch for updates.