Bristol weather for May Bank holiday 2022: what is the Met Office forecast for May Day weekend?

Bank holiday weekends have been coming thick and fast recently, and it does not end just yet with May Day just around the corner.

Bristolians are looking forward to another extended weekend full of various city-wide activities including spring walks, as well as free-time spent with friends and family.

So with May Day 2022 just around the corner, what have experts said about the weather in Bristol? Here is everything you need to know.

When is May Day bank holiday?

May Day is celebrated on 1 May or the first Monday of May.

In 2022, May Day bank holiday will fall on Monday, 2 May.

What is May Day and why do we have it?

May Day is a public holiday that is celebrated in a number of countries around the world.

Dating as far back as the second century AD, during Roman times, May Day was initially an ancient festival that marked the first day of the summer season.

Bringing people together who would celebrate with a sing-song, a dance, and plenty of tasty cake.

It is celebrated in a number of European countries, such as Belgium where it is known as ‘Labour Day’, ‘Spring Day’ in Estonia, or considered a holiday of love throughout Czech Republic.

Traditionally in England and across the rest of the UK, people would dance around a maypole and crown a May Queen on May Day.

What is the Met Office weather forecast for May Day bank holiday weekend?

The Met Office has issued an official weather forecast for May Day bank holiday weekend in Bristol (Bristol):

Friday, 29 April

May Day bank holiday weekend is set for a mild and dull start as Friday is predicted to be nothing but cloudy.

Chillier levels are expected earlier in the day with lows of 6℃ at 7 am, though temperatures will get warmer later in the day heading towards the afternoon.

Despite cloudy conditions with a peak of 91% sky coverage according to AccuWeather, temperatures are expected to be milder between 1 pm and 7 pm with highs of 13-14℃.

Saturday, 30 April

The theme of a cloud-filled May Day bank holiday weekend continues, with the Met Office forecasting nothing but cloud throughout Saturday.

Once again, temperatures are at its coldest earlier in the day with lows of 6℃ at 7 am, getting milder in the afternoon.

Warmest at 7 pm with highs of 14℃, it is also expected to be at its most overcast at that time too.

Sunday, 1 May

Still no change in weather expected across Bristol and its surrounding area on the Sunday of May Day bank holiday weekend.

Cloudy skies are expected to remain, as are mild temperatures.

Lows of 8℃ are expected early in the morning at around 1 am to 7 am, but it is predicted to get warmer later in the day.

Hottest at 4 pm with highs of 14℃, it seems that what is usually a warm summer month is yet to get going.

Monday, 2 May

Bristolians clinging onto the hope for even a little sunshine on May Day will be happy to know that it will make an appearance, but at the expense of a little rain.

With low clouds hanging across the skies of the city, there is expected to be some sun in the afternoon, but those clouds are also set to rain down on Bristol too.

However, it will only be one hour of rainfall, so your umbrellas will only be needed for a short while.

Temperatures are a lot warmer with highs of 17℃, but lows of 7℃ are predicted.

What is the Met Office long-range weather forecast?

The Met Office has issued a statement regarding the long-range weather forecast for the UK from Friday, 29 April to Sunday, 8 May:

“The start of this period is most likely to be dry with variable clouds and some clear and sunny spells,” the forecast reads.

“Frosty mornings possible after colder nights for inland and rural areas. Most areas remain dry, but showers are possible in the north, and far south.

“Likely to be breezy in the southwest, and the south at times. The start of May could turn unsettled with the risk of some cooler air arriving from the north.

“Most places remain dry, but a few showers are likely at times particularly for the north and east, where they could be heavy.

“Winds generally light with the greatest chance of strong winds probably along the east coast. Temperatures near to or slightly below normal.”