The United Kingdom is set for another sizzling weekend as temperatures continue to climb during what the Met Office describes as a "truly historic spell of May weather." This week saw record-breaking heat, with Kew Gardens reaching 35.1°C on Monday, surpassing the previous station record of 29.3°C and the previous UK May record of 32.8°C.
Counties including Oxfordshire, Surrey, Bedfordshire, and Cambridgeshire all recorded new maximum temperatures well into the low and mid-30s. In total, 163 weather stations broke their May maximum temperature records, according to the Met Office.
Weekend Forecast
Saturday will continue to deliver abundant sunshine, with temperatures expected to climb as high as 29°C across England and Wales. The Met Office highlighted the unusual nature of this heatwave, noting: "What makes this event particularly noteworthy is the combination of very high daytime temperatures and persistently warm nights. Typically in spring, even during warm spells, overnight temperatures fall sufficiently to provide some relief. In this case, that cooling was limited across many parts of the UK."
However, the story is different for Northern Ireland and western Scotland. The weekend will begin with "a much wetter spell," according to Met Office meteorologist Aiden McGiven. Despite the rain, temperatures will remain mild, reaching the late teens, with highs of 18-20°C across many parts of these regions.
Sunday Outlook
Mr McGiven added: "Sunday will be notably different for England and Wales, with showers across Wales, northern and western England. It will be driest towards the southeast, with temperatures reaching the low 20s. Scotland and Northern Ireland will not be as wet as Saturday, but changeable with a keen breeze, a lot of cloud and some showery rain."
Detailed Met Office Forecast
Tonight: Evening showers slowly clearing eastwards. Cloudy with outbreaks of rain affecting parts of Northern Ireland and Scotland, otherwise dry with clear spells. Another warm night, especially in the east.
Friday: Dry with sunny spells for most, however outbreaks of rain will affect the far north, with showers across the southeast, where it will be another very warm day. Cooler elsewhere.
Outlook for Saturday to Monday: A band of rain then gradually spreading eastwards over the weekend introducing some fresher and showery conditions. Another band of rain likely to push eastwards on Monday. Near normal temperatures.
