Met Office Easter washout verdict as 400-mile wide storm blasts in from US

After the wettest 12-months in more than 150 years, yet more rain is set to hit southern England

The Easter weekend and long-awaited bank holidays are almost in sight but, according to early weather forecast predictions, more rain is in store. The Met Office predicts a washout Easter weekend for many, with "unsettled conditions" likely to hit southern parts of the UK.

For anyone hoping to soak up some springtime sunshine during the bank holiday weekend, from Friday, March 29 to Monday, April 1, it is bad news. The Mirror reports a huge weather front is crossing the Atlantic Ocean, potentially bringing up to 60mph winds and heavy rain through Easter and beyond.

The system is reportedly 400 miles wide and has caused tornadoes and hailstorms in the US Midwest. It is unlikely to bring the kind of destructive power to the UK, but after a wet and miserable few months, many will be disappointed at the prospect of a soggy bank holiday.

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The Met Office said: "The system responsible for the storms in the USA is heading towards Western Europe. A powerful storm is poised to deliver nearly every weather hazard possible to the central US beginning Wednesday.

"It will turn wet and windy later on Monday, with showery rain and brisk winds on Tuesday. There still will be further rain for most areas on Wednesday and Thursday, with strong winds, especially along coasts. Through Friday and the weekend, northwesterly winds will bring a mixture of sunny spells and showers, some heavy. The week to March 31 has unsettled conditions probably in the south, with the north drier but colder."

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The Exeter-based forecaster predicts particularly wet conditions in the UK during this time, with "unsettled conditions" mostly likely to affect the south. in the week leading up to the Easter bank holiday. Its long-range forecast, dated March 22-31, says: "Cloudy across the far south at first on Friday, with some patchy light rain and drizzle clearing southwards early in the day. Elsewhere, a mixture of clear or sunny spells and showers.

"The showers will be heavy at times with a risk of thunder, and most frequent across the north and northwest. Through the weekend, northwesterly winds will bring a mixture of sunny spells and showers, some of these heavy. A drier spell may develop later in the weekend with temperatures likely to be below normal for many areas. Into the following week, more unsettled conditions will probably develop across parts of the UK, these most likely to affect southern areas. Northern areas are more likely to be dry but also colder."

It comes as experts say the UK saw the wettest 12-months in more than 150-years. The Environment Agency said the year to the start of March had been the wettest in England since 1871 and southern England has seen double the usual rate of rainfall.