Britain is set to experience its hottest bank holiday on record, with temperatures of 34C forecast for Greater London and the South East on Monday. This follows a scorching Sunday, which saw the UK's warmest May day in at least 79 years, as Kew Gardens in south-west London recorded 32.3C.
Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan described the forecast as 'pretty historic', noting that temperatures rarely exceed 35C even in summer. Wales and Northern Ireland also saw record highs on Sunday, reaching 27.4C in Cardiff and 23.4C in Armagh respectively. Scotland saw highs of 23.5C in Edinburgh, just below the current May record.
The Met Office confirmed that heatwave conditions were met in eight parts of England on Sunday, including Heathrow, Kew Gardens, and several locations in Oxfordshire, Suffolk, and Essex. However, north-west Scotland will be breezier and damper with thicker clouds on Monday.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued its first amber health alert of 2026 on Friday, warning of a significant impact across health and social care services. The alert remains in place until Wednesday, with vulnerable groups such as older adults at particular risk as their bodies struggle to regulate temperature.
Age UK charity director Caroline Abrahams urged people to check on older relatives, friends, and neighbours during the hot weather, offering to pick up shopping or lend a fan. The charity recommends staying indoors between 11am and 3pm and taking regular cold baths or showers.
Tragically, Lincolnshire Police reported that the body of 15-year-old Declan Sawyer was recovered from Swanholme Lakes in Lincoln after he was reported to be in trouble on Sunday afternoon.
