HAPPY campers may have their parade rained on - literally - as the North-East is set for scattered heavy showers with bright or sunny intervals.

More rain showers are forecast for the week ahead, setting the scene for what could be one of the wettest Mays on record.

By Friday there had been 91 per cent of the expected rainfall for the entire month, with 63.5mm having fallen already.

The wettest May on record was in 1967, when 131.7mm of rain fell across the UK.

Thankfully, pubs and restaurants can reopen indoors in England as of today, May 17, which is set for a day of sunshine and showers.

It comes as groups of up to 30 people can meet outdoors, while outdoor performances such as outdoor cinemas and theatres can reopen.

The reopening of the rest of the accommodation sector and indoor hospitality also means campsites can welcome back tent, but campers may need their wellies. 

Met Office forecaster Steven Keates said even if the record for the wettest May is not broken, it will be a “notably wet month”.

He said: “If you were to extrapolate what we’ve had so far and say the second half of the month was similar to the first, then you would probably be challenging a record wet May.

“On the basis that a fair amount of rain is probably quite likely over the next couple of weeks, it’s probably going to be up there. It’s sunglasses one minute and umbrellas the next."

People enjoying new freedoms as Covid rules relax are likely to see heavy showers with a risk of thunder up and down the country. 

Mr Keates added: “So if you can go in, it might be the best option.”

“There are hints, however, as we move towards the turn of the month into June of perhaps a bit of a dry trend.

“So some tentative glimmers of light at the end of the tunnel.”

Here's a full forecast for the week: 

Today:

After a cloudy start, it should brighten up through the morning, but with the odd shower by midday. These becoming more frequent and locally heavy and thundery during the afternoon, especially in the east. Maximum temperature 15 °C.

Tonight:

Showers gradually easing overnight, with just the odd one left towards the east coast by morning. A few mist or fog patches possible by dawn especially on the hills. Minimum temperature 5 °C.

Tuesday:

Some bright or sunny spells developing, but with scattered showers across the region in the afternoon. Shower lighter and less frequent than on Monday and dying out in the evening. Maximum temperature 16 °C.

Outlook for Wednesday to Friday:

Sunshine and scattered showers on Wednesday. Thursday starting dry and bright, but wind and rain spreading from the west later. Windy on Friday with showers or longer spells of rain.