Friday
A small area of low pressure moves eastwards across the south of England, bringing heavy rain for several hours to many southern counties. The northward extent of the rain remains somewhat uncertain, but it should clear from the south-west before dawn. Heavy rain is likely for the south-east into the afternoon and evening. From the Midlands northwards it may well stay dry most of the day, particularly toward north-eastern Britain, with sunshine from time to time. A scattering of showers will affect north-western regions of Britain and Ireland, some heavy with hail and thunder, plus snow over the Scottish Highlands. Locally gusty winds in the south. Feeling cool beneath the rain around 5C, elsewhere highs typically 7C.
Friday night
Residual rain in the south-east should all clear. Most places dry overnight, with broken cloud. A scattering of showers will continue around northern and western coasts, wintry over higher hill tops. A few clusters of showers are also likely in the south-west. Overnight lows typically 1 to 3C, but dropping locally to -2C where skies stay clear. Slight frost and ice in rural areas.
Saturday
Bright and dry for many areas of Britain and Ireland, with the best sunny spells in central and eastern areas. There will be showers, most widespread in the morning, affecting northern and western coastal regions of Scotland and Ireland, occasionally squally with hail and the odd rumble of thunder. Sleet and snow over the Scottish mountains, falling to quite low levels. Showers also expected to move south-east across the Irish Sea into north Wales, perhaps north-west England, and isolated showers may reach the western Midlands. A band of showers may also clip the North Sea coast of England. Feeling cool in a north-westerly breeze, and dropping quickly chilly on Saturday night across England and Wales where skies remain clear. Daytime highs 5 to 8C.
Sunday
A wet and windy day for Ireland and western Britain as Atlantic fronts spread eastwards. Heavy rain will set in for many hours over western hills of Wales, north-west England and Scotland, giving the risk of localised flooding. Patchy and drizzly rain pushing further eastwards, becoming increasingly persistent for the Midlands. Eastern England starts cool, with early brightness, and is likely to remain dry for much of the day until patchy rain and drizzle develops by about late afternoon, turning heavier by evening. Wind freshening to gale force in exposed areas. Rain breaking up into showers by afternoon for Ireland. Expect high seas and big waves on western coasts of Britain and Ireland. Temperatures rising toward 10 or 11C despite the rain.