THE first Bank Holiday weekend of May will be a cool affair, as high pressure draws in air from the ‘wrong’ direction.
Temperatures are normally on the rise when our climate is dominated by high pressure, now sitting out to the west.
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Temperatures are set to cool down over the weekendCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
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Cold air is on the wayCredit: Michael Schofield, News Group Newspapers Ltd
However, this particular weather event is pulling down chill air from the far north, signalling an end to the warmth we have been experiencing of late.
Tomorrow and Sunday will hover around the mid-teens and could see some showers developing in the north.
But Monday is looking the best day of the holiday weekend, with Scotland enjoying some of the best conditions in all of the UK.
Temperatures will peak at 13C or 14C (55-57F) which is slightly cooler for the time of year.
Around 50,000 fans are expected to travel to Glasgow on Sunday for the Rangers V Celtic match, the final city derby of the season.
Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Tony Wisson said: “The recent very warm weather for the time of year is subsiding over the weekend as a weak cold front moves over the UK.
“We expect cooler temperatures as the front pushes south. This cooler air will also help introduce isolated showers across eastern parts, but it should stay drier further west.
“Sunday will feel much cooler compared to recent days, with temperatures falling slightly below average for the time of year.
“We can expect mid-to-low double figures for many, and even single figures for those further north.”
From Tuesday onwards, we’re likely to see a very gradual increase in temperatures day on day, though not to the levels of warmth we’ve seen recently.
Scotland faces 25C heat surge from TODAY – but weather expert has warning for early May
High pressure will continue to dominate the UK weather next week, bringing largely dry weather and variable amounts of cloud.
The weather is enticing plants and flowers to mature earlier than normal.
Guy Barter, chief horticulturist at the Royal Horticultural Society, said:“Some vegetables and flowers may arrive a little earlier than we usually expect – perhaps by a week or so – and this is reflected in all five RHS gardens where species like bearded iris, camassia, California lilac and ornamental hawthorns are already looking spectacular.
“While frost is still a possibility at this time of year, it is becoming less likely now and the next spring plants, such as the resplendent Wisteria, are less likely to be impacted.
“There are increasing clouds of purple in many of the RHS gardens thanks to the fabulous weather.”
Meanwhile, Scots farmers and industrial customers who extract water from natural resources have been asked to limit ‘non-essential’ use.
Large areas of eastern Scotland have been placed on ‘alert’ for water shortages following yet another month of below-average rainfall.
The Met Office said Scotland received less than half (48 per cent) of its normal rainfall in April, officially the sunniest April ever in the UK.
It follows a dry March, last winter and autumn.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency said the Dundee area has received lower-than-average rainfall for 11 months in a row.
Eilidh Johnston, SEPA’s Senior Manager Regulation, Business and Environment, said: “We’re seeing the early signs of water scarcity again this spring.”
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Scotland enjoyed an end of April heatwaveCredit: Alamy