Britain is set to experience its hottest bank holiday on record, with "historic" temperatures of 34C forecast for Greater London and the South East on Monday. This follows a scorching Sunday, which saw the UK's warmest May day in at least 79 years, as Kew Gardens in south-west London recorded 32.3C.
Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan told the Press Association: "We rarely see temperatures above 35C, even in the summer months, so to see temperatures getting close to 35C in May is, as I say, pretty historic."
Wales and Northern Ireland also saw record highs on Sunday, reaching 27.4C in Cardiff and 23.4C in Armagh respectively. Scotland saw highs of 23.5C in Edinburgh on Sunday, just below the current record of 23.6C recorded in Aboyne on May 1.
The Met Office said heatwave conditions were met in eight parts of England on Sunday – Heathrow in Greater London, Benson in Oxfordshire, Brooms Barn in Suffolk, High Beech in Essex, Kew Gardens in London, Northolt in London, Santon Downham in Suffolk and Writtle in Essex.
Lincolnshire Police said the body of 15-year-old Declan Sawyer was recovered from the water at Swanholme Lakes, Lincoln, after he was reported to be in trouble at 2.30pm on Sunday.
Although Monday is set to be hot for many parts of England, north-west Scotland will be breezier and damper with thicker clouds. Saturday was the first time this year that the UK had passed 30C and Sunday saw the hottest recorded May temperature since 1947.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued its first amber health alert of 2026 on Friday, warning that there is a risk of a significant impact across health and social care services. The alert will remain in place until Wednesday.
The heat is considered to be dangerous for some vulnerable groups including older adults as their bodies struggle to regulate temperature. Age UK recommends staying inside during the hottest hours of the day, between 11am and 3pm, and having regular cold baths or showers.
Age UK charity director Caroline Abrahams said: "We can all help older people stay safe during periods of hot weather by checking in on older relatives, friends and neighbours to see if they need anything or are struggling with the heat. Offering to pick up shopping or medication, or even lending a fan, can make a real difference."
