Rain warning issued with April showers in the Easter forecast (2025)

Published

14 April 2025

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April showers have been in short supply so far this month - but that looks set to change this week.

The area of high pressure that has kept the UK largely dry and sunny over the last few weeks is retreating with low pressure taking its place.

That will bring rain for many areas and even the chance of some thunderstorms.

A Met Office yellow warning has been issued covering Wales and parts of western England during Tuesday and Wednesday.

It will also be cooler than of late with some snow possible over the highest hills in the north.

It has been an exceptionally dry start to April for all four nations of the UK and there are parts of the country that have yet to see any rain at all.

In fact, in a number of locations there has been no measurable rain - defined as 0.2mm or more - since last month.

Stowe in Buckinghamshire has recorded no wet weather since 21 March and several other places in southern and eastern England have been dry since 23 March.

Widespread sunshine has brought the UK's highest temperatures of the year so far with Northolt, west London, reaching 24C (75.4F) on 12 April.

Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have also had their warmest weather of 2025 with temperatures climbing into the low twenties Celsius.

However, despite the daytime warmth, clear skies have still allowed for some overnight frosts.

The first half of the month has brought what forecasters call a blocked weather pattern.

The jet stream has effectively been locked in place to the north of the UK, steering rain-bearing weather systems away from our shores and allowing high pressure to dominate.

But that has started to change with the jet stream repositioning itself further south and that is going to trap low pressure overhead this week.

Tuesday and Wednesday will bring showers or longer spells of wet weather to all areas.

Some of the rain will be heavy and persistent - especially in Wales and western England where a Met Office yellow warning has been issued.

Between 20-40mm (0.8-1.6in) of rain is expected to fall widely within the warning area, with up to 75mm (3.0in) possible in a few locations.

Some thunderstorms are also likely.

Over the highest hills and mountains in northern England and Scotland a little sleet and snow is possible - although this is not unusual for April.

Thursday is expected to bring drier conditions overall with some sunshine although scattered downpours will still break out.

Daytime highs will range from around 10-17C (50-63F) north to south - lower than they have been lately but still around the average for mid-April.

Overnight temperatures will vary depending on cloud cover but some pockets of frost are still likely, particularly in the northern half of the UK.

The Easter weekend is still a few days away but at the moment it looks like low pressure will remain close by - meaning there will be further spells of rain.

However, it is unlikely to be a complete washout - computer weather models do indicate the chance of some drier interludes.

So if you are making plans it is worth keeping up to date with your local forecast on the BBC Weather website and app.