Easter holiday: Wet and windy, with outbreak of chocolate

As millions scrambled by car, plane and train for the Easter break, some braved the weather on foot for a more traditional outing. More than 60 people, young and old, crossed the tidal causeway to Holy Island to observe the annual Christian pilgrimage (Getty Images)

Britain is braced for traditional April showers over the Easter holiday as rain and strong winds are predicted. Forecasters have warned that gales of up to 40mph could hit south-west England and south Wales on Easter Monday, with gusts felt across most of the country.

Light showers and cloudy conditions are expected over the weekend, with heavier outbreaks of rain by the end of the Easter break. The predicted wet weather comes after record high temperatures in Scotland last month, followed by snow which covered northern England and Scotland earlier this week.

Nick Prebble, forecaster with MeteoGroup, said temperatures should return to normal for this time of the year, with a maximum of 13C (55F): "Our forecasts suggest this weekend's weather should return to what we would expect at this time of year. Easter Monday will be wet, windy and unsettled, and bring the traditional April showers. We're predicting outbreaks of rain that will be heaviest in western parts. It could provide a bit of a reprieve for areas facing drought but a lot more rain is be needed."