UK May half term staycation nightmare as huge Atlantic rain bombs to hit 4 days in a row

Disappointing new generated by WXCharts on May 21 have cast a dark shadow over plans for the May half-term holidays, as parts of the UK appear likely to see huge rain bombs sweeping in from the . The maps show heavy rain is expected to hit over a four-day period in late May.

This year, the May half-term for schools in England and will fall on May 26 to May 30. However, according to the weather maps, rain is set to fall every day from May 24 to May 27, with little let-up. On Saturday, May 24, rain is forecast to fall on much of England and Scotland, with parts of Wales and Northern Ireland not expected to escape. The maps show rain stretching from the Isle of Wight in the south all the way up to the Scottish Highlands, with the heaviest downpours expected from Aberdeen down to Newcastle, with around 3 to 4mm of rain expected per hour.

A heavy deluge is also expected to hit the region around Birmingham, with up to 1.5mm of rain expected. In Wales, a small patch of rain is expected to hit the coast near Snowdonia, while and the northeastern coast of Northern Ireland will see up to 1mm per hour. On May 24, a large portion of the West Country and East England, as well as most of Wales will escape the downpour.

However, this is set to change as on Sunday, May 25, even heavier rain is expected to descend on most of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Midlands will see the heaviest rain, with up to 4mm per hour, with East England also hidden under swathes of blue on the weather maps. A large portion of inland will also see up to 4mm per hour. This time, it is Scotland that largely avoids the rain.

Moving into Bank Holiday Monday on May 26, the rain is set to continue, the maps suggest, though not so heavy. Much of the west coast of Great Britain - England, Wales and Scotland will see up to 1mm of rain per hour, while Northern Ireland is completely submerged under a cloud of rain. London and East England will also see rain. Once again, the West Country fairs well, with only a small patch near affected.

Finally, on Tuesday May 27, the bad weather will descend on the West Country, bringing the heaviest rain of the four-day period. Near Plymouth, up to 15mm of rain per hour could be seen, with around 5mm expected in Southampton, the maps suggest. Another patch of heavy rain is set to fall on and Ipswich. Manchester will also see up to 1.5mm of rain per hour. On May 27, the east coast of Great Britain will fair the best.

Separately, the Met Office issued its on forecast on the period. Looking at Saturday and Sunday, it said: "Cloud increasing from the west overnight to bring outbreaks of rain eastwards Saturday. Rain clearing to scattered showers Sunday." In its long-range forecast lasting between May 25 and June 3, the weather agency added: "A much more unsettled period than of late with the whole of the UK likely to see showers or some longer spells of rain, but also some drier and brighter interludes. For Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday it's likely a story of sunshine and showers. The showers will be heavier and more frequent in the west where it may also be windy, especially across the northwest. The east, especially the southeast may well see a good deal of dry weather. The rest of the week then sees further frontal systems run into the UK, bringing more widespread rain at times, but again some drier spells in-between these. Temperatures will probably be close to average, perhaps slightly above at times, but will feel fairly cool in the often strong winds."

Spring 2025 has so far been exceptionally dry and sunny, with records looking set to be broken. The UK has already recorded more sunshine hours so far this spring than it did for the whole of meteorological summer last year, according to provisional Met Office statistics.

However, with unsettled conditions in the forecast for the last few weeks of May, there is still plenty of time for things to change.