The United Kingdom experienced a typically unsettled late spring day today, as cloud cover, passing showers, and breezy conditions swept across much of the nation. While some areas enjoyed short-lived sunny intervals, others faced cooler temperatures, drizzle, and windier spells. For many, it felt like a pause between spring’s warmth and summer’s arrival.
🌥️ National Weather Overview
A broad band of cloud and patchy drizzle travelled slowly southwards over England and Wales, while the rest of the UK fared slightly better, with dry spells and brighter skies, particularly across Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Temperatures stayed close to the seasonal norm, ranging between 14°C and 20°C, with the west and southwest enjoying the highest values. Meanwhile, gusty winds across exposed coasts added a cooler edge to the day’s feel in some eastern and northern locations.
📍 Regional Highlights
England
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London: Cloudy with occasional brightness. A dry but cool-feeling day, peaking at 15°C. Commuters dealt with a mostly grey commute both morning and evening.
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Manchester: Skies broke briefly in the afternoon, offering some sunshine and a slightly warmer high of 17°C. Winds remained light.
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Birmingham: A day of low morning cloud, giving way to intermittent sun by mid-afternoon. Temperatures reached a modest 15°C.
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Leeds: Experienced partial sunshine, though temperatures remained subdued at around 15°C. No rain recorded during daylight hours.
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Bristol: One of the warmer spots today, hitting 20°C despite a brief, light afternoon shower. A mix of sunshine and cloud defined the day.
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Newcastle upon Tyne: Breezy and cool with intervals of sunshine. The high of 14°C was tempered by chilly gusts coming in off the North Sea.
Scotland
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Glasgow: A better day in the west of Scotland, with partly sunny skies and highs of 19°C. A gentle breeze made for comfortable conditions.
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Edinburgh: Began with patchy low cloud, which cleared gradually to leave sunshine through the afternoon. Temperatures settled around 15°C.
Wales
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Cardiff: Enjoyed a partly sunny and dry day, with temperatures reaching 17°C. Winds were light and conditions favourable for outdoor plans.
Northern Ireland
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Belfast: The capital had one of the better outlooks today, with dry, bright weather and highs of 17°C. A very light breeze complemented mild conditions.
⚠️ Weather Alerts: Flood Warning in Northern England
A Flood Alert was issued by the Environment Agency for the Upper River Ribble and Hodder, affecting Settle, Clitheroe, Gisburn, and Ribchester. Rainfall earlier in the week has left the river systems sensitive to further precipitation, and while flooding is not yet confirmed, localised surface water and rising river levels remain a concern.
Advice for affected residents: Avoid low-lying paths, monitor local weather channels, and take precautionary steps to protect property from potential flooding.
🌅 Sunrise and Sunset
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Sunrise: 04:59
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Sunset: 20:56
With nearly 16 hours of daylight, many areas enjoyed dry spells during the extended evening light — even if the sun was hiding behind the clouds.
🔭 The Outlook for the Weekend
Looking ahead, the Met Office forecasts a shift towards more unsettled conditions from Saturday onward, especially in the west and northwest. Expect:
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Bands of rain moving in from the Atlantic
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Increasing cloud and breezy conditions
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Sunny spells and scattered showers on Monday, some of which could be locally thundery
Temperatures are likely to remain around seasonal averages, although a cooler, fresher feel will persist under cloud and wind.
🌦️ Daily Summary Table
| Region | Conditions | High Temperature |
|---|---|---|
| London | Cloudy, dry | 15°C |
| Manchester | Some sunshine, mild | 17°C |
| Birmingham | Cloud then sun | 15°C |
| Bristol | Partly sunny, light rain | 20°C |
| Newcastle | Breezy, bright spells | 14°C |
| Glasgow | Partly sunny | 19°C |
| Edinburgh | Cloud clearing to sun | 15°C |
| Cardiff | Dry with sunny spells | 17°C |
| Belfast | Dry, bright | 17°C |
🌤️ Final Thoughts
Thursday, 29 May 2025, offered a mixed but manageable day across the UK. While some battled cloudy skies and drizzle, others made the most of brief warm spells and clearer skies. With flood concerns rising in parts of the north and more unsettled weather expected this weekend, today may have been the best window for outdoor plans.
Be sure to check in with the Met Office for the latest updates as the wet and windy conditions return this weekend.