UK weather forecast: Sunshine back for bank holiday as meteorologists predict return of 'very warm' conditions

But, before then, expect showers, clouds, thunder and hail – especially in the north

Britain is set to bask in glorious bank holiday sunshine with forecasters predicting a “very warm” end of August.

But before then the country can expect changeable weather, showers, clouds and even thunder and hail in Scotland and the northwest of England.

“Towards next weekend it is likely to become generally drier, brighter and more settled, especially for southern parts of the UK where it could become warm or very warm again,” Met Office meteorologist Bonnie Diamond told The Independent.

The good news comes as bookmakers Ladbrokes slashed its odds to 2/1 that this August will go down as the hottest ever.

Spokesman Alex Apati said: “As Brits prepare for summer holidays, it looks as though they’d be better off staying in this country to top up on their tans.”

For the next week or so, however, the country will experience something of a north-south divide as the weather splits into two distinct patterns following the prolonged nationwide heatwave.

“The forecast everywhere is changeable,” said Met Office spokeswoman Nicky Maxey. “But the northwest will see more clouds and rain with a front coming in from across Northern Ireland, while the southeast remains largely drier and brighter with more sunshine.”

Heavy rain will hit Scotland, the northwest England and Northern Ireland hard on Wednesday, moving down to Wales and central England as the day progresses, followed by the possibility of hail and thunder – most likely in Scotland – on Thursday.

But the south – and London especially – will remain largely bright and settled. A band of rain will move across the capital and Kent on Thursday but should soon give way to clear skies again, predicted Ms Maxey.

“The weekend will see the same divide with showers expected in the northwest, while the south stays generally clear,” she added.

Temperatures will remain relatively warm – at or above average – across the country throughout the week creating a muggy and humid atmosphere.

“As an example, in Manchester, temperatures will be in the low 20s for much of the week but potentially peaking at 25C,” she said.

“In London, it will be more like mid-20s and, when the sun is out, potentially reaching 28C or even 29C on Sunday.”

Then, from next week, more consistent weather becomes a probability again.