The United Kingdom has experienced its warmest day of the year thus far, with temperatures climbing to 30.5 degrees Celsius in Kent. Meteorologists are cautioning that even more extreme heat could follow over the bank holiday weekend, potentially breaking the record for the hottest May day ever recorded in the country.
According to the Met Office, the temperature recorded in Frittenden, Kent, marks the first occasion since 2012 that the mercury has reached 30C in the month of May. Forecasters anticipate that the hot spell will persist, with Monday likely to see the UK's highest May temperature on record, potentially reaching 33C in southern England and the Midlands.
On Sunday afternoon, temperatures are expected to hit 31C in the south and around 26C in the north, the Met Office added. The current May temperature record stands at 32.8C, recorded in Camden Square, north London, in 1922, and in Horsham in West Sussex, Tunbridge Wells in Kent, and Regent's Park in central London in 1944.
UV levels will also be elevated across much of the UK over the bank holiday weekend, with a UV index of seven forecast for Manchester on Sunday. Greg Dewhurst, senior meteorologist at the Met Office, explained: 'High pressure will dominate through the whole of the bank holiday weekend, bringing plenty of very warm sunshine across England and Wales each day. Scotland and Northern Ireland will see more cloud at times, with a few showers across north-west Scotland.'
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued amber heat health alerts for the East Midlands, West Midlands, the east of England, London, and the south-east. These alerts will remain in place until 5pm on Wednesday, replacing less severe yellow alerts that were previously issued. The UKHSA website warns that such alerts indicate a likely 'rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions' and increased demand on all 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.
