Grey skies loom for the weekend as a stubborn Atlantic pattern edges closer, while midweek sunshine offers a brief, warm pause.
Forecasters say a band of rain will arrive from the west late on Friday and linger through much of the weekend. Warm, pleasant spells come first on Wednesday and Thursday with highs around 17–18C. Hurricane Gabrielle stays to the south, near the Azores and then the Bay of Biscay, yet it still tweaks the timing of the rain over the UK.
What the Met Office says
The UK heads for a wet weekend, with the first outbreaks pushing into western coasts on Friday night before spreading across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland on Saturday. The pulse then pivots and drifts on into Sunday, so many places keep damp conditions and cloudy skies.
Rain moves in from the west late Friday and continues across large parts of the UK through Saturday and Sunday.
Gabrielle does not drive the wet spell. Its remnants pass well to the south, close to the Azores on Friday and then east towards Biscay, off France and northern Spain. Even at that distance, the decaying system can still nudge the jet stream and add moisture to a frontal zone already aimed at Britain.
How Hurricane Gabrielle still nudges the rain
Ex-tropical systems often reshape the atmosphere without making landfall. As Gabrielle weakens over cooler waters, its energy spreads out and feeds into the mid-latitude flow. That can slow a rain band, make it more persistent, or shuffle it a few hours forward or back. This looks to be the case here: the system stays south, but the UK still feels its indirect touch.
Gabrielle remains far to the south; its role is indirect, adjusting the timing and persistence of the UK rain band.
Day-by-day outlook
Wednesday and Thursday
Much of the country enjoys fine, bright weather. Sunshine breaks through for long spells, with temperatures close to seasonal norms at 17–18C. Light winds bring a pleasant feel, especially away from North Sea coasts. Nights turn cool and clear in rural spots.
Friday and Friday night
Cloud builds in the west during the afternoon. Rain reaches Northern Ireland, west Wales and western Scotland by evening, turning steady overnight. Central and eastern areas probably stay dry until late, with thicker cloud and strengthening south-westerlies as the front approaches.
Saturday
Periods of rain cross England and Wales, with drizzly, low cloud over hills and coasts. Northern Ireland sees showery breaks after the main band clears, while western Scotland keeps patchy rain. Eastern England turns wet later in the day, which could frustrate outdoor plans and local sport fixtures.
Sunday
The front becomes slow-moving for a time, so many places keep outbreaks of rain or drizzle. Brighter slots appear in the west later, but any improvements arrive unevenly. Ground stays wet and slippery on paths and pitches, and roads spray up with standing water in prone spots.
| Period | Regions most affected | Weather | Temperatures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wed–Thu | UK-wide | Sunny spells, dry for most | Highs around 17–18C |
| Fri pm–night | West first | Rain arriving, turning steady | Mid-teens |
| Saturday | England, Wales, W Scotland | Widespread rain, hill drizzle | 13–17C |
| Sunday | Many areas | Slow-moving rain and drizzle | 13–16C |
Who is most likely to get soaked
- Western hills in Wales, Cumbria and the southwest: longer periods of steady rain.
- Urban corridors in northwest England and the Midlands: slow surface water build-up during heavier bursts.
- Eastern England: later arrival on Saturday, but rain lingers into Sunday.
- Scottish west coast: on-and-off rain and low cloud, with brighter gaps after frontal passages.
Many places could see 10–25mm across the weekend, with 30–50mm over western hills where rain lingers longest.
Travel, sport and events
Weekend travellers should plan for slick roads, spray and reduced visibility. Extra time helps on exposed routes such as the M6 over Shap and the A30 in Cornwall. Local football and grassroots fixtures face soft pitches and patchy downpours. Runners and walkers will want waterproofs and a spare dry layer, especially on higher ground where low cloud clings to ridges.
Rail operators often bring in temporary speed restrictions when rails turn greasy after dry spells. That risk rises on Saturday morning as rain starts to fall on leaves and oil. Bus users in city centres may notice short delays where drains back up near junctions.
Why Gabrielle is not the culprit
Gabrielle’s core stays far to the south, tracking near the Azores on Friday before moving east into the Bay of Biscay. The system weakens over cooler waters and loses its tropical structure. The UK’s rain stems from a separate Atlantic frontal zone. The fading hurricane’s leftovers sit close enough to feed moisture and tweak the jet stream, which changes how long the rain band hangs around. That distinction matters for public messaging: the forecast calls for a wet weekend, but not a direct hit from a hurricane.
What you can do now
- Check local forecasts again on Friday afternoon for updated timing by postcode.
- Move outdoor plans earlier on Saturday morning in the east, where the rain arrives later.
- Clear leaves from patio drains and doorstep gullies to reduce puddling.
- Pack light waterproofs and dry socks if you are out for sport or hiking.
- If you drive, keep screenwash topped up and tyres at correct pressures for wet roads.
Background: when hurricanes fade over cooler seas
As tropical systems leave warm waters, they shed their tight, warm-core centres. Energy spreads into a broader swirl that merges with the mid-latitude flow. Forecasters call this extratropical transition. The decaying system often delivers a plume of moisture and a pocket of energy that can slow or pulse an existing front. That is the set-up in play: the UK front was coming anyway, but Gabrielle’s distant leftovers help decide where and for how long the rain lingers.
Warm midweek sunshine near 17–18C offers a short window for chores and errands before the weekend turns damp.
Extra context for the days ahead
Short bursts of heavy rain can overwhelm urban drainage for 10–20 minutes, then ease quickly. That pattern often catches people out, so flexible plans work best. Hills and windward coasts feel raw despite modest temperatures, because low cloud and drizzle sap warmth. Winds look breezy in exposed western spots, with gusts at times on coasts, but not a damaging storm setup.
Gardeners may welcome the soak after a dry spell, since steady rain recharges topsoil more effectively than brief deluges. Campers should watch for water creeping across pitches on sloping ground, and keep kit off the grass. Dog walkers can pick windows between pulses, especially in the west later on Sunday as the front starts to fragment.
Thanks for clarifying Gabrielle isn’t a direct hit—media headlines can be confusing. Helpful to know the rain is from a separate frontal zone and the timing might shift by a few hours.
48 hours of drizzle? Ah yes, the premium UK car wash subscription.