The NHS is urging Britons to follow an '11am rule' as a bank holiday heatwave is set to bring temperatures of up to 33°C in parts of the UK. The Met Office forecasts the highest temperatures of 2026 over the long weekend from May 23 to 25, with potential records being broken.
Met Office deputy chief forecaster Steve Kocher said: "Temperatures will climb through the weekend, especially in the south, where 30°C is likely on Saturday and 32°C on Sunday. Monday could see 33°C in southern England and the Midlands, possibly surpassing the current May and spring UK record of 32.8°C."
The NHS advises spending time in the shade between 11am and 3pm, when the sun is strongest. Other tips include keeping curtains drawn to cool homes, monitoring the UV index (taking action if it is three or higher), and avoiding sunburn, which increases skin cancer risk. The health service stresses that "there's no safe or healthy way to get a tan" and that sunburn can occur even on cloudy days in the UK.
Certain groups, including those who spend long periods in the sun for work or leisure, should be especially vigilant. While darker skin offers some natural protection, people of all skin tones can develop skin cancer, so everyone should take precautions.
