The Met Office has confirmed that Saturday 23 May was the hottest day of the year so far, with temperatures reaching 30.5C in Kent, beating the warmest May temperature recorded in the UK since 2012.
Record-Breaking Heat Expected
Parts of the UK are forecast to be hotter than some popular Mediterranean holiday destinations, meteorologists have said, as a heatwave develops over the weekend. The Met Office has forecast highs of 33C in London on Monday and Tuesday, which could also be felt in other parts of southern England. This would make it the warmest May day on record. The current May temperature record stands at 32.8C, recorded in Camden Square, London, in 1922.
The high temperatures are set to exceed those in Greece over the weekend, including Mykonos, Rhodes and Santorini.
Forecast for London
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 said. 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.
Saturday's high of 30.5C was recorded at Frittenden in Kent, beating Friday's maximum temperature of 28.4C in Cambridge, Heathrow and Cranwell, Lincolnshire on Friday evening.
The Met Office's 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. 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 Alerts Issued
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued yellow or amber heat health alerts covering every area of the country over the weekend and lasting into next week. The agency warned of "significant impacts" across health and social care services in areas covered by amber warnings, which include London, the Midlands, east of England and the South East.
Met Office forecast for London
Saturday: Any cloud and rain should clear during the morning to give a bright, sunny and hot day. Staying a little cooler along the coast. Maximum temperature 30C.
Sunday to Tuesday: Largely bright and sunny throughout and notably hot, a little cooler along the coast with an onshore flow. The wind generally remaining light throughout the period.
How to Protect Your Health in Hot Weather
The UKHSA gives the following advice on keeping safe and healthy in hot weather:
- If you are going to do a physical activity (for example exercise or walking the dog), plan to do these during times of the day when it is cooler such as the early morning or the evening.
- Keep your home cool by closing windows and curtains in rooms that face the sun.
- Drink plenty of fluids and limit your alcohol intake.
- Check on family, friends and neighbours who may be at higher risk of becoming unwell, and if you are at higher risk, ask them to do the same for you.
- Know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke and what to do if you or someone else has them.
- Try to avoid direct sunlight, especially between 11am and 3pm when UV levels are highest.
- If you are going out during this time, cover up with suitable clothing, wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, seek shade and apply sunscreen liberally and reapply frequently.
