Summer Expected To Be Warmer But Wet

Summer temperatures across the UK are more likely to be warmer than average and rainfall near or above average, according to the Met Office.

More sun this year?Long-range forecasters say Britain can expect a "typical summer" and - after the miserable summer of 2007 - the probability of a similar amount of rain as last year is considered "very low".

"We think it's likely to be a case of a few fine days and then there's a band of rain, perhaps some thunderstorms and then it warms up again," said Dr Brian Golding, head of forecasting at the Met Office.

"The indications that we have at the moment do not suggest anything dramatic."

But the Met Office warns not to plan your trips away based on long-range forecasts.

"Our long-range forecasts are proving useful to a range of people, such as emergency planners and the water industry, in order to help them plan ahead," said government services director at the Met Office, Rob Varley.

"They are not forecasts which can be used to plan a summer holiday or inform an outdoor event."

In the shorter-term, the milder weather we have been experiencing will disappear.

Sky News weather presenter Lucy Verasamy says it will be feeling like winter rather spring this weekend.

"Northerly winds will become established and colder air will drift south. Temperatures will be back down to single figures for most of us," she said.

"Some wintery showers of hail, sleet and snow will fall on Sunday across most of the UK. But it's not expected to settle at lower levels - mostly on the higher grounds of Scotland and Wales.

"But it's not all bad, there will be occasional spells of sunshine, but bitterly cold in those brisk north winds."