Environment & Climate

Late August bank holiday weekend faces rain, thunderstorms, and travel delays across UK

Forecasters expect cooler temperatures, heavy showers, and windy conditions as millions prepare for bank holiday road trips.

Updated Aug 28, 2026 · 03:18 UTC1 reports

The short version

Unsettled weather involving heavy rain, showers, and potential thunderstorms is forecast for the UK across the late August bank holiday weekend.
The RAC projects approximately 20 million car trips during the weekend under potentially difficult driving conditions.
A Met Office yellow weather warning for eastern England remains active until 07:00 BST on Friday due to potential lightning, hail, gusty winds, and heavy rain.
Temperatures will return to near-average late-August levels, with wet weather shifting primarily toward Scotland by Bank Holiday Monday.

The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning covering parts of eastern England through 07:00 BST Friday for strong winds, hail, lightning, and heavy rain.[BBC News]
The RAC estimates that drivers will make around 20 million car journeys over the course of the bank holiday weekend.[BBC News]
Friday temperatures are expected to drop to seasonal averages between 20C and 23C in England and Wales, and 16C to 20C in Scotland and Northern Ireland.[BBC News]
Showers, blustery westerly winds, and potential thunderstorms are predicted to continue into Saturday across England and Wales.[BBC News]
By Bank Holiday Monday, the heaviest precipitation is expected to concentrate over Scotland, while England and Wales experience a mix of sunshine and scattered showers.[BBC News]

The exact timing and localized intensity of severe downpours and thunderstorms remain subject to change as low-pressure systems move across the region.[BBC News]