Britain is bracing for a scorching bank holiday weekend as temperatures are predicted to soar to a staggering 35C, prompting thousands of people to head to the coast for what has been dubbed 'May's fiery flip-flop'. Weather experts have warned that the late May bank holiday could see record-breaking heat, with some areas potentially experiencing temperatures 2C or 3C higher than the previous record for the month.
Return of the Heatwave
After a period of unseasonably cold weather, the UK is set to experience a sudden and intense heatwave, described by meteorologists as a return 'with a vengeance'. According to Jim Dale, senior meteorologist at British Weather Services, this abrupt change is due to an African plume of hot air arriving just days after an Arctic polar front. 'We're probably overdue this heat in that respect,' Mr Dale told the Mirror. 'It's coming back with vengeance. It is going to heat up quite a lot, to say the least.'
Record-Breaking Temperatures Expected
Bank Holiday Monday is forecast to be the warmest day of the long weekend, with London potentially reaching a blistering 35C. This would be nearly 3C warmer than the previous May record of 32.8C. However, several other counties could also see similar highs, including Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Huntingdonshire, Northamptonshire, and Lincolnshire. Further north, the north-west of England and parts of Scotland could see up to 29C, which may also break local records.
'32.8C is the record we've got to beat,' said Mr Dale. 'For this time of year, that's staggering temperature. There are some models that are actually showing a lot more than that, 34C, 35C. If it reaches that, that's just silly heights at this time of year. That's got climate change written all over it.'
Weekend Weather Breakdown
Saturday is expected to be similar to Friday, with temperatures reaching between 24C and 25C in some regions, though there may be odd thundery showers. Sunday will see a slight increase, with the mercury hitting between 27C and 28C. Then, on Bank Holiday Monday, a sudden jump is predicted, with temperatures potentially soaring to record levels. Tuesday could also be extremely hot, depending on wind direction and cloud cover.
Met Office Warning
The Met Office has confirmed that the peak of the heat will come on Monday, with high pressure expected across most of the UK. 'For many areas, this will feel more like mid-summer than late May, with temperatures rising well above average and the potential for some notably high values as the weekend progresses,' the forecaster stated. 'The bank holiday Monday is expected to bring the peak of the heat. Temperatures may reach around 33C across parts of southern and central England, with the potential to challenge or exceed existing late-May records.'
Health Alert Issued
An amber heat health alert has been issued for the East of England, indicating a risk of significant impact across health and social care services. Indoor temperatures could rise above the recommended threshold, including in hospitals. The alert, put in place by the UK Health Security Agency, runs from 2pm on Friday until 5pm on Wednesday. The public is advised to take precautions, stay hydrated, and avoid prolonged exposure to the sun during the hottest parts of the day.
