Rainfall warning issued for Easter bank holiday weekend but will there be any sunshine?

A yellow weather warning has been issued by the Met Office with heavy rain set to affect parts of the UK over the Easter bank holiday weekend.

The warning covers parts of south-west England on Good Friday and Saturday, where up to 75mm (3in) could fall.

Other places will also see some wet weather but it will not be a complete washout.

There will be sunny spells which will lift temperatures slightly above the April average.

It means mixed prospects for bank holiday travellers.

The RAC estimates, external that 19 million leisure journeys will take place - which would make it the busiest Easter since 2022.

Delays are anticipated on routes including the M25, M5 and A303.

This week has brought a big change - from the dry weather of early April to something more unsettled.

That is because the jet stream has shifted southwards allowing areas of low pressure to take charge.

One of these will sit to the south-west of the UK on Good Friday bringing rain, especially in Northern Ireland, Wales, western England and south-west Scotland.

It will also turn fairly windy in these areas with temperatures reaching 9-13C (48-55F).

However, northern and eastern Scotland - along with central and eastern parts of England - will be drier.

There will be some sunshine, lasting longest in East Anglia where afternoon highs could hit 19C (66F) in a few places.

During Friday night and Saturday morning, rain will continue in the west of the UK with the worst of the conditions expected to be in south-west England.

A Met Office yellow warning covers most of Cornwall and Devon where 20-40mm (0.8-1.6in) of rain is expected to fall quite widely, with even more over the hills.

This is expected to cause difficult driving conditions with delays possible on roads and railways.

There could also be some localised flooding.

Rain will continue to affect other western parts of the UK during Saturday but should become less widespread and less intense by the afternoon.

Northern Ireland and Scotland are expected to stay fairly cloudy but some sunny spells will develop in England and Wales.

Temperatures will be a little lower than on Friday, peaking at 10-15C (50-59F) in most places - around the seasonal average.

Overall, Easter Sunday looks fairly dry as high pressure tries to build.

It could be a chilly start in Scotland and northern England with a ground frost possible for some.

Areas of cloud are expected, with a few April showers in England and Wales and a little patchy rain in Northern Ireland and western Scotland.

But many places will dodge the wet weather and stay dry with sunny spells.

Temperatures will vary from 9C (48F) in Shetland to a possible 17C (63F) in southern England.

Sunny spells will continue on Easter Monday however this will not be the whole story.

Heavy downpours will pop up in many places with the chance of thunder - which could bring localised transport disruption.

Temperatures are expected to reach 10-18C (50-64F) with the highest values likely in south-east England.

Beyond the Easter weekend there is some uncertainty in computer weather models.

However it does look likely that next week could bring some longer, drier interludes, albeit with the continued chance of some rain at times.

Overall the forecast is a very mixed one so if you are planning for this bank holiday weekend or beyond you can keep up to date on the BBC Weather website and app.