The best day to go to the beach is this bank holiday, after rain dampens the weekend

BRITS are hoping for sunshine and clear blue skies as the bank holiday weekend approaches.

With forecast rain and wind threatening to ruin vacationer plans, what’s the best day to go to the beach?

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The Met Office has forecast spells of rain – particularly in the north – likely to dampen sentiment as the April 30 long weekend begins.

However, southern regions are expected to remain largely dry, with intermittent cloudy conditions and sunny patches forecast on Saturday.

Despite some wet weather, temperatures should remain comfortably warm at 17°C and even in the 20°C range in some areas.

The average temperature for this time of year is 12°C, according to the Met Office.

The Met Office says choppy conditions are likely as the long weekend will bring “rainy spells mainly in the north and west, with intermittent patchy showers mainly in the east and possibly some cooler air at times”.

Showers from the north are expected to move south-east on Sunday, according to Met Office spokesman Stephen Dixon.

But things will peak on Bank Holiday Monday when southern regions see the best of a dry and sunny day.

The Met Office said: “In early May much of the South is expected to experience prolonged dry and sunny spells.”

And families are expected to flock to the beach and make the most of the clear blue sky long weekend finale on Monday.

However, there could be some rain during the day in the northwest.

Long-term, Unsettled weather is expected to continue about mid-May with sunshine and showers.

However, the Met Office has some good news throughout the month.

The long-term forecast states: “Drier and calmer conditions are expected to return towards the end of May, with temperatures near or above average for this period.

Bookmakers remain confident that next May could be the hottest on record.

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