Warmer weather set to return for Bank Holiday weekend...but it's hardly a scorcher

The coming Bank Holiday weekend is likely to much more May-like in appearance, with warmer temperatures making a welcome return.

The coming Bank Holiday weekend, however, is likely to much more May-like in appearance, with warmer temperatures making a welcome return. (GETTY IMAGES)

With hailstones, dipping chilly temperatures and heavy intermittent showers you could be forgiven for thinking we're in November.

The coming Bank Holiday weekend, however, is likely to much more May-like in appearance, with warmer temperatures making a welcome return.

British Airways is set to carry more than 463,000 customers over the bank holiday weekend, with 128,000 travelling tomorrow and 116,000 flying on Bank Holiday Monday as Britons head to warmer climes.

The most popular long-haul destinations for BA customers include New York, Boston, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Top short-haul destinations include Nice, Barcelona, Malaga, Rome, Edinburgh and Paris.

Those left behind will see much more pleasant conditions than previous weeks with temperatures expected to reach 19C (66F) over the weekend.

The getaway could be less than straight-forward for some with roadworks on motorways and major A-roads remaining on some busy roads, including the M25 and the M4.

On the railways, there will be engineering work on some routes, including the West Coast main line, and major development work beginning at London Bridge station.

Tomorrow is likely to remain chilly in England and Wales with temperatures probably only struggling up to 13C (55F), although Scotland could see 16C (61F).

Saturday is expected to be a mostly dry day in England and Wales, with temperatures as high as 17C (63F), while the thermometer could touch 19C in southern England on Sunday.

Paul Mott, a senior forecaster with MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said: "The weather is going to be warming up a little bit, although the weekend is not going to be a scorcher."

The Bank Holiday itself could see chillier conditions in the west with the possibility of rain sweeping in. Temperatures in the South could reach 17C.

Mr Mott said: "Looking ahead to half-term next week, temperatures are likely to be near or slightly below normal and there could be some heavy showers."

Over the bank holiday, platforms 8-16 at London Bridge station, which are used by the Southern train company, will be closed to prepare the area for work on platforms 14-16.

Between Saturday and Monday, no Southern services will call at London Bridge and some will be diverted to Victoria station in London.

From Tuesday until next spring, platforms 14, 15 and 16 will remain closed while they are redeveloped and platform 13 will be narrowed.

Rail routes on which there will be engineering work over the weekend include St Pancras in London and Luton; London and Rugby; Preston and Lancaster; and all routes through Wolverhampton.

A total of 66 sets of roadworks are due to be completed in England ahead of the bank holiday, while a further 37 works will be suspended over the holiday period.

Restrictions will remain at 18 locations.