The UK is set to experience a heatwave over the bank holiday weekend, with temperatures potentially reaching 33C in parts of southern England on Sunday, according to the Met Office. This could make it the warmest May day on record, surpassing the current record of 32.8C set in Camden Square, London, in 1922. Any temperature above 29.4C would be the warmest May temperature recorded in the UK since 2012.
Forecast Details
Temperatures are expected to reach 28C in parts of England on Friday before climbing above 30C across several areas over the following three days. The Met Office has stated there is a 40 per cent chance of temperatures reaching 33C on Sunday. The high temperatures are predicted to exceed those in popular Mediterranean destinations such as Mykonos, Rhodes, and Santorini.
A UK heatwave is officially recorded when an area experiences at least three consecutive days with temperatures meeting or exceeding the region's heatwave threshold. Wales could also experience these conditions over the weekend, while Scotland and Northern Ireland are expected to have milder weather.
Health Alerts
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued heat health alerts covering much of the Midlands, eastern England, and south-east England over the weekend and into next week. The agency warned of minor impacts across health and social care services, including increased demand from vulnerable people, hotter indoor environments, and a higher risk of water-related incidents.
Met Office Statement
Greg Wolverson, the Met Office's deputy chief forecaster, said: "A very warm period of weather will develop through the weekend and into next week for much of the UK. High pressure will be in charge of the UK's weather over the bank holiday weekend, and this should bring fine and settled conditions to most areas. The exception will be parts of northwestern Scotland, where it will be cooler and cloudier with some rain at times. There is also a small risk of some thunder in the south late on Friday into Saturday."
Five-Day Forecast
- Thursday: Rather cloudy and breezy across many northern and northwestern areas, with outbreaks of rain at times. Elsewhere, after a grey and in places misty start with patchy rain in the west, some very warm sunshine developing.
- Thursday night: Breezy, with rain spreading northeastwards across Northern Ireland and Scotland this evening, then some clearer spells overnight. Mostly clear in England and Wales, though patchy fog and drizzle in the west.
- Friday: Patchy rain and fog in the northwest and some western areas at first. Otherwise dry with a good deal of very warm or hot sunshine developing. Breezy in the northwest.
- Saturday to Monday: Some showers Friday night, clearing southeastwards early Saturday. Patchy rain at times in the far northwest, and some coastal mist patches. Otherwise dry. Hot sunshine by day, mostly clear overnight.
The warmest day recorded in the UK so far this year was 26.6C at Kew Gardens in south-west London in April. With the upcoming heatwave, Brits are advised to stay hydrated, keep cool, and check on vulnerable individuals.
