While the north and Scotland will see the lion's share of the bad weather, the weather looks like it may not play ball for the Easter break as gales and rain are expected on the run up to the weekend.

Despite some early brightness today cloud is expected to thicken from the west with rain and strong winds spread eastwards by the afternoon, turning heavy and persistent across the hills. Gales, severe along the coast, are likely by dusk. Maximum Temperature 13C.

Tonight will be very windy, with gales, locally severe.

Evening rain will soon clear east, with clearer spells following, however isolated blustery showers are possible during the early hours. Feeling cold. Minimum Temperature 6C.

Tuesday stays windy, with gales likely throughout. There will be sunny spells, variable cloud and isolated blustery showers. Remaining cold, especially in the brisk winds. Maximum Temperature 11C.

The outlook from Wednesday to Friday is for winds to remain strong with sunshine and scattered showers. Early brightness is possible Thursday, before rain spreads gradually east.

Good Friday looks like it will be rather cloudy with outbreaks of rain.

The earliest Cornwall will see decent sunshine is expected to be Easter Monday.

Met Office forecaster Charles Powell said: "It looks like the rain will by and large clear at the weekend, but it will be quite cloudy. It looks like a dry weekend with winds, but it probably won't be bright.

"People can head outside and do things and travel around a bit more safely.

"But I'm not going to promise a huge amount of sunshine because I think there will be quite a lot of cloud. But it will be quite a marked change from this weekend."