WILL it be warm enough for a BBQ this bank holiday? As we approach the bank holiday weekend, we've spoken to the experts to find out. 

The second bank holiday in May is usually a hot and sunny affair, but in an unusually chilly and wet month - can we really expect sun?

This month has been like no other May in recent years, marked by an intense low pressure bringing cold temperatures, weather warnings and mammoth storms.

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Bournemouth Echo:

The weather map for Tuesday, 25 May in Dorset (Met Office).

However, there is good news as the rain is finally expected to stop by the middle of the week - just in time for the three-day weekend. 

Weather expert and forecaster Dorset Sun said: "The weather is set to improve from the middle of this week, but it will generally recover to just about average for the time of year.

"This means temperatures in the high teens and plenty of dry weather, but nothing overly warm."

A spokesperson for the Met Office said: "There will be a lot of dry weather on Sunday and Monday with temperatures around 17C or so.

"But there will still be the risk of the odd shower or two so as long as people come prepared then everything will be a bonus.

"It's not going to be completely settled this weekend and it's a bit changeable but there will be some dry spells as well.

"However, it's all improving at the right time."

When will we be sunbathing on the beach?

Usually at this time of the year you'd expect the beaches to be filled with sunbathers and holidaymakers - but they've been a lot quieter than usual, even with the pandemic.

The chilly low pressure is expected to shift through allowing for high pressure - hot weather and sunshine - to break through from Europe. 

Dorset Sun said: "As we head towards June there is a higher chance of some warmer weather arriving as high pressure builds across Western Europe.

"The jet stream is also likely to track north of the U.K. bringing calmer conditions with less of an Atlantic influence.

"Temperatures in the low 20s are possible by the first week of June."

Looking ahead, sunnier times and the start of summer should be well-under-way by the middle of June. 

Bournemouth Echo:

Here's the weekly forecast: 

  • Tuesday, 25 May: 15°C / Cloudy with sunny intervals
  • Wednesday, 26 May: 15°C / Cloudy with sunny intervals
  • Thursday, 27 May: 15°C / Cloudy with sunny intervals
  • Friday, 28 May: 16°C/ Cloudy
  • Saturday, 29 May: 17°C /Cloudy with sunny intervals in the afternoon
  • Sunday, 30 May: 18°C / Sunny, changing to cloudy by the afternoon

What are your plans this weekend? Let us know in the comments.