UK Heatwave: 31C Soaring Temperatures Expected Across 30 Counties

Britain is set to swelter in an early summer heat blast as new weather maps show temperatures soaring to 31C across parts of England next week.

Heat Peak on Thursday, May 28

Forecast charts for Thursday, May 28, suggest the hottest conditions will be centred across London and surrounding areas of the South East, where temperatures could peak at 31C by the afternoon. Parts of Essex, Kent, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire are also among 30 counties set to bake in intense heat as the month draws to a close.

Elsewhere, huge stretches of the country are forecast to climb above 28C, with around 30 counties across the South East, South West and parts of the Midlands caught up in the hot spell. Temperatures across much of southern England are expected to range between 24C and 29C.

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Widespread Warmth Across the UK

Cities and towns including Norwich, Oxford, Cambridge, Reading and areas surrounding Windsor are all expected to enjoy unusually high late-May temperatures as warm air pushes in across the UK. The heat is not expected to remain confined to southern areas either. Parts of Wales, northern England and Scotland are also forecast to experience temperatures well above the seasonal average, with highs widely reaching the low to mid-20s. Some areas further north could still see temperatures hovering around 20C, bringing warm conditions to much of the country.

If the forecasts hold, the hot spell could make Thursday one of the warmest days of the year so far, with many Brits set to flock to parks, beaches and beer gardens to make the most of the sunshine. It comes as the Met Office warned 'high pressure is expected to remain in place' for much of the country as we head into the final days of May.

Met Office Long-Range Forecast

Its long-range forecast from May 24 to June 2 reads: 'Warm and dry for most on Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday. Through the following week, high pressure is expected to remain in place for much of the UK, meaning fine weather likely to continue for most places. Some patchy rain may affect the far north at times and perhaps a few showers in the far south. Temperatures are expected to be above normal, feeling very warm at times with light winds.'