Sunday could become the warmest May day on record in the UK, as forecasters predict temperatures could reach as high as 33C in parts of southern England. The current May record stands at 32.8C, recorded in Camden Square, London, in 1922.
Heatwave forecast for the bank holiday weekend
Britons are preparing for the hottest days of the year as a heatwave develops over the bank holiday weekend. Parts of the UK are expected to be hotter than popular Mediterranean holiday destinations like Mykonos, Rhodes, and Santorini.
The Met Office has stated there is a 40% chance of temperatures climbing to 33C on Sunday. Any temperature above 29.4C would be the warmest May temperature in the UK since 2012.
Temperatures are expected to reach 28C in parts of England on Friday, then climb above 30C across several areas over the following three days. 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.
Regional breakdown
Wales could also experience heatwave conditions over the weekend. However, weather is expected to be milder in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The warmest day recorded in the UK so far this year was 26.6C at Kew Gardens in south-west London in April.
Met Office deputy chief forecaster Greg Wolverson 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."
He added: "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."
Health warnings issued
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.
Five-day weather forecast
Thursday: Rather cloudy and breezy across many northern and northwestern areas with outbreaks of rain at times. Elsewhere, after a grey and 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.
