UK weather: Easter weekend set to be a washout

The spell of balmy weather that Britain has enjoyed over the last few days is set to change - just in time for the long Easter weekend.

Unsettled weather is set to move in, bringing rain, clouds, colder temperatures and even gales.

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The Met Office Easter forecast reads: "The current spell of benign weather is expected to change by the Easter weekend.

"Overnight rain should have cleared from the north and west by dawn on Good Friday, but may linger into the afternoon in the southeast. A brief drier and brighter interlude is then expected before more rain arrives later on Friday and during Saturday.

"The rest of the Easter period and the following week are likely to be unsettled with showers or longer spells of rain, interspersed by some dry and bright interludes. It is also expected to become windy with gales at times, with the wettest and windiest conditions probably occurring in the west and northwest.

"Temperatures are expected to vary around average, best generally in the east, often rather cold in the west and northwest."

And, unfortunately, there's not much better news for the beginning of April.

The Met Office adds: "The start of April is expected to continue unsettled and windy at times with showers or longer spells of rain, interspersed by some dry and bright interludes. The wettest and windiest weather probably occurring in the north and west.

"Overnight frost and fog is possible in the drier interludes. Overall temperatures should be near or somewhat below normal although day to day fluctuations are expected, which could be quite marked as is usual in April.

"There are indications that this pattern may slowly change during the second and third weeks of April. However, there is a good deal of uncertainty as to what any change will herald, other than it should become somewhat drier."