Showers set to give way to sunshine and 24C temperatures in the UK this week

Parts of the UK have a chance of seeing their first significant rain in several weeks as showers move across the country on Monday afternoon and evening.

Some areas of eastern England have so far received only 2% of the rainfall they would typically expect during the whole month of April - although many places further north and west have been considerably wetter.

The downpours will be hit-and-miss with some places remaining dry.

Sunshine and warmth will return later this week but a change to more unsettled conditions looks likely, just in time for the bank holiday weekend.

The area of high pressure that has kept things mostly dry over the last week is still close to the UK.

However, a zone of cold air high in the atmosphere has been drifting overhead causing instability, allowing shower clouds to bubble up.

This will top up rain gauges in some locations but there will be gaps in between meaning some places will stay mostly or completely dry.

There are parts of the UK that could do with some rain.

Up until Monday morning, Cambridge and Bedford had both received only 2% of their average April rainfall.

In contrast, Tiree (Inner Hebrides) has had a wetter month than normal with 171% of its typical rainfall, and Katesbridge (Co. Down) has received 113% of its average April amount.

These cloudy, damp conditions will linger for some on Tuesday morning - but the day will turn increasingly sunny as high pressure reasserts itself to the north of the UK.

A brisk easterly breeze will develop in southern England and south Wales.

The highest temperatures are likely to be found in Northern Ireland and Scotland with highs of 17-19C (63-66F).

The easterly breeze will strengthen further on Wednesday, making it feel rather chilly along some North Sea coasts.

But with lots of sunshine elsewhere, temperatures will widely reach 16-21C (61-70F).

During Thursday and Friday the winds will shift to a more southerly direction bringing warmer air across the UK.

Parts of England, Wales and Scotland can expect the thermometer to reach 20-22C (68-72F) on Thursday, albeit with cooler conditions in Northern Ireland.

Temperatures of 23 or 24C (73-75F) could be on the cards in eastern England on Friday.

However showers and possible thunderstorms will creep in from the west, ushering in a change to more unsettled conditions by the bank holiday weekend.

Low pressure will develop close to the UK bringing showers or longer spells of rain with a few drier and brighter spells in between.

Some warmth is likely to linger in the south and east, especially on Saturday, but cooler conditions will develop elsewhere.

Temperatures are likely to be around the seasonal average of 12-17C (54-63F).

The details of the forecast are likely to change so it is worth checking the hour-by-hour prospects for your area on the BBC Weather website and app.

And if you are already making plans for May you can read our latest monthly outlook.