Manchester weather: Met Office forecast as rain sweeps in for May bank holiday weekend

After a mainly rainy and cold April in Manchester, many will be hoping for warmer and dryer weather as we enter May with another bank holiday weekend. But unfortunately, while temperatures are looking to rise, the Met Office predicts the rain is here to stay for just a while longer with some mixed weather ahead.

Wednesday (April 26) is starting off largely dry and chilly, with some sunny spells, but into the afternoon more clouds will develop with a few wintry showers across the North West. Overnight, showers will ease for yet another dry night with the risk of some frost forming.

With a mostly dry start to Thursday, and some sunny spells in the morning, the weather will once again become cloudy and rainy in the afternoon with temperatures around 13 °C. With the bank holiday weekend arriving, Friday is looking quite dry before showers and more widespread, sometimes heavy, rain sweep across the city on Saturday and Sunday.

On bank holiday Monday (May 1), temperatures are predicted to reach around 15 °C, with cloudy weather. Showers and heavy rain can occur across the region, so if you were hoping for a bank holiday in the sun, you’re better off hoping for brighter weather over Coronation weekend next week.

Manchester and North West England weather forecast

Wednesday April 26:

A largely dry and chilly start with some hazy sunshine. Cloud developing through the afternoon with a few wintry showers. Feeling cool with light winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.

Any showers easing this evening to leave a largely dry night with some clear spells. Less cold than recent nights though a rural patchy frost is possible in clearer skies. Minimum temperature 2 °C.

Thursday April 27:

Mostly dry on Thursday with some sunny spells during the morning. Becoming cloudier by the afternoon with outbreaks of rain arriving later. Feeling milder and breezier. Maximum temperature 13 °C.

Outlook for Friday 28 to Sunday 29 April:

Largely dry with the odd shower on Friday. Sunny spells and showers on Saturday. Showers become more widespread on Sunday and heavy at times. Winds are mostly light and feeling warmer.

UK long range weather forecast Sunday April 30 to Tuesday April 9:

On Sunday, a band of rain and patchy cloud should push northeastwards bringing low cloud around many western facing coastlines. Showers will develop during many afternoons; these showers have the potential to turn heavy with some hail and thunder at times across the UK.

Some mist and fog are expected overnight. As we move into May, milder and relatively humid conditions will continue to affect much of the UK, with colder conditions hanging on in the far northeast of Scotland.

It is likely to turn more unsettled and changeable by the end of this period with higher likelihood of rain especially across central and southern parts. Temperatures are becoming close to average for this time of year.

(Source: Met Office)