The UK experienced a largely settled and mild day today, with most regions enjoying a break from recent rainfall. While cloud cover lingered across parts of England and Wales, brighter spells emerged elsewhere — a calm interlude before a change in conditions expected over the weekend.
🗺️ National Overview
A band of cloud and occasional light drizzle drifted southward through parts of England and Wales early in the day, but most areas remained dry. Scotland and Northern Ireland enjoyed longer sunny spells, while the far northeast experienced the odd isolated shower.
Temperatures were generally mild, ranging between 14°C and 20°C, giving much of the country a pleasant taste of late spring. With nearly 16 hours of daylight, it was a good day to enjoy the outdoors — even if a light jacket was needed in the breeze.
🌦️ Regional Breakdown
England
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London: A mostly grey start gave way to bright intervals. Temperatures peaked at 15°C, offering a comfortable day for city-goers.
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Manchester: After a cloudy morning, sunshine broke through in the afternoon, lifting temperatures to a pleasant 17°C.
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Birmingham: Some early low cloud cleared gradually, revealing clearer skies and a high of 15°C.
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Leeds: Saw a mixture of clouds and sun, with mild conditions and a top temperature of 15°C.
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Bristol: Warmer than average for much of southern England, Bristol reached 20°C despite a brief afternoon shower.
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Newcastle upon Tyne: A cooler and breezier day along the North Sea coast, with a high of 14°C and occasional bright spells.
Scotland
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Glasgow: Enjoyed one of the warmest conditions in the UK today, with sunny intervals and highs around 19°C.
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Edinburgh: Began with patchy low cloud, but this cleared through the morning to reveal bright weather and a high of 15°C.
Wales
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Cardiff: Experienced a mostly dry and bright day, with scattered sunshine and temperatures around 17°C.
Northern Ireland
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Belfast: The capital saw sunny intervals and light winds, with mild temperatures up to 17°C — a great day for late spring outings.
🌅 Sunrise and Sunset
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Sunrise: 04:59
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Sunset: 20:56
Today marked one of the longest days of the year so far, with nearly 16 hours of daylight illuminating most of the UK.
🌀 Looking Ahead: Weekend Turns Unsettled
While today brought a welcome reprieve from rain, the Met Office forecasts a notable change in weather patterns heading into the weekend. Beginning Saturday, the UK is likely to experience:
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Bands of rain moving in from the west
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Increased cloud cover and breezy conditions
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Scattered showers and possibly thunder by Monday
Despite the shift, temperatures are expected to stay near seasonal averages, although conditions may feel cooler due to wind and rain.
⚠️ Weather Warnings
There are no active weather warnings in place today.
Still, residents are encouraged to stay updated, as changing conditions over the weekend could prompt alerts in western regions by Sunday.
📊 Regional Summary Table
| Region | Conditions | High Temperature |
|---|---|---|
| London | Bright intervals | 15°C |
| Manchester | Cloud breaking for sun | 17°C |
| Birmingham | Low cloud, then brighter | 15°C |
| Bristol | Partly sunny, warm | 20°C |
| Newcastle | Breezy, sunny intervals | 14°C |
| Glasgow | Mostly sunny | 19°C |
| Edinburgh | Cloud clearing to sun | 15°C |
| Cardiff | Dry with sunny spells | 17°C |
| Belfast | Partly sunny and mild | 17°C |
☀️ Final Thoughts
Thursday, 22 May 2025, gave the UK a brief pause from wet and windy conditions, offering mild temperatures and moments of sunshine across all four nations. It’s a welcome breather for outdoor enthusiasts, gardeners, and commuters alike.
However, with more unsettled weather likely from Saturday onward, today may be remembered as the calm before the storm.
Stay tuned to the Met Office for updates and be prepared for a shift in conditions over the weekend.