A FINE, dry bank holiday lies ahead for Devon according to the Met Office.

The area of high-pressure which has brought fine conditions over the last few days is forecast to persist through the bank holiday weekend and into next week.

Met Office chief forecaster, Paul Gundersen, said: ‘The jet stream sitting to the north of the UK is holding unsettled weather systems at bay and allowing high pressure to dominate bringing fine weather to the vast majority of the UK.

‘The current position of the high-pressure means we will see a westerly air flow over the UK, a cooler direction than if air was being brought up from the south, and areas such as Spain or Africa.

‘Therefore, we are not likely to reach heatwave conditions, but temperatures will still be warm reaching the low 20s for many, particularly in the South West and southern Wales.’

WEEKEND FORECAST

Tonight:

Staying dry through the evening and overnight with cloud melting away to leave increasingly clear skies. Feeling cool in rural areas. Winds remaining light inland. Minimum temperature 6 °C.

Saturday:

Another fine day and with plentiful amounts of sunshine. Again, some fair-weather cloud perhaps bubbling up in the afternoon. Feeling warm away from coasts. Maximum temperature 22 °C.

Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:

High pressure keeps it dry to end the bank holiday weekend, but with more scattered cloud possible and feeling cooler with an increasing breeze. Prolonged sunshine returns on Tuesday.

Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster, Steven Keates, said: 'Next week is half term week for much of the country and there is as strong signal the high-pressure will continue to dominate our weather. It’s exact position over the UK will dictate the temperature, wind direction and weather patterns, however, indications are that the dry, bright weather is likely to continue for most with little in the way of rain throughout next week.'

With the fine weather many of us may be planning to be out and about over the long weekend. Travel experts are warning of a busy time on the roads.

RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said: 'We fully expect families to make the most of the largely fine weather over the coming days which is we’re forecasting the busiest late May bank holiday since before the pandemic. Into next week and half term for many parts of the UK, day trips will also be a big feature with popular routes to the coasts and countryside becoming busy. Getting away early in the morning or delaying trips until the evening are the best way to avoid the inevitable delays.'