New EU border checks at Dover have been suspended as motorists queued for hours amid climbing temperatures at the start of a hot bank holiday weekend. The UK experienced its hottest day of the year so far on Saturday, with the village of Frittenden in Kent reaching 30.3°C. Forecasters predict that temperatures will continue to rise, potentially breaking multiple records over the coming days.
Heatwave triggers disruption
The high temperatures on Saturday surpassed those forecast for Athens in Greece, Split in Croatia, and even Victoria in the Seychelles. Holidaymakers faced hours-long waits on Friday at the Port of Dover, and similar disruption continued on Saturday. In an effort to ease congestion, French authorities suspended extra EU border checks under the new entry/exit system (EES), the port announced. Travellers who missed their ferry due to queues were allowed to travel on the next available slot free of charge.
EES requires people from third-party countries, such as the UK, to register their fingerprints and have their photograph taken to enter the Schengen Area, which comprises 29 European countries, mostly within the EU. More than 8,000 travellers were expected at the port on Saturday.
Record-breaking temperatures anticipated
According to the Met Office, records could be broken for the hottest May day in the UK and England (currently 32.8°C), the hottest May day in Wales (currently 30.6°C), and the UK and England’s hottest bank holiday (currently 33.3°C). Speaking in St James’s Park, London, Jo Stockley described the weather as “amazing,” while Alexi Antonino, visiting from Detroit, noted that the heat felt “normal” but highlighted the lack of air conditioning in the UK compared to the US.
Some areas may experience cloudier conditions on Saturday due to a cold front bringing patchy drizzle to north-west Scotland, Northern Ireland, and western coastal regions. Peaks of 31°C are expected on Sunday. The MCC, which owns Lord’s, announced it would dispense with the requirement for gentlemen to wear jackets in the pavilion for two Vitality Blast matches on Sunday.
Health warnings issued
The current May temperature record of 32.8°C was set in Camden Square, north London, in 1922, and in Horsham, West Sussex; Tunbridge Wells, Kent; and Regent’s Park, central London, in 1944. UV levels will be high across much of the UK over the bank holiday weekend, with a UV index of seven expected in Cardiff and London on Saturday, and in Manchester on Sunday, prompting advice to apply sun cream.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued amber heat health alerts on Friday morning for the East Midlands, West Midlands, east of England, London, and the South East. These alerts, in place until 5pm on Wednesday, replace less severe yellow alerts. According to the UKHSA website, amber alerts indicate a likely rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions, and increased demand on health and social care services. Yellow alerts have been issued for the north-east and north-west of England, Yorkshire and Humber, and the South West, signalling possible significant impacts on health and social care services.
