Weather trend: Stormy outlook into the new week

An unsettled looking bank holiday weekend with plenty of rain and potential for stormy outbreaks.

On Friday, initially dry at first with a mix of sun and cloud, but from midday a weather front from the west looks set to bring heavy rain across Ireland, reaching England and Scotland towards the evening.

This front also delivers growing winds, again first in the west, before strengthening more widely.

Into the weekend, conditions turn more unsettled everywhere with repeated rainfall and showers from Saturday, with isolated thunderstorms possible over Ireland and Scotland.

Individual thunderstorms are also possible amid widespread very windy to stormy conditions, especially over Ireland, where gusts reach up to 37-43 mph (60-70 km/h).

Sunday will be more changeable with plenty of cloud but also longer sunny periods, although isolated showers are possible.

Widespread storms with gusts in the 37-50 mph (60-80 km/h) range persist into Sunday in western Ireland.

Higher rain totals are also possible in north-west Scotland on Sunday with a slight rise in temperatures except in the west of Ireland and north of Scotland, where they are likely to fall.

Looking further ahead, a mix of sunny spells and showers continues for Bank Holiday Monday, though it appears drier in south-east England. Changeable conditions persist into the week, with fresh Atlantic weather systems rolling through.