The United Kingdom is set to welcome fresher conditions on Sunday as the recent baking heat gives way to cooler temperatures and sporadic rain. The Met Office confirmed that Saturday marked the end of the sweltering heatwave that has baked the nation for much of this week, with the mercury nearing 30C in south-east England.
Sunday's Weather Outlook
On Sunday, scattered showers are expected across the UK, with temperatures closer to the average for this time of year. Highs of 24C are expected in London, with 19C in Birmingham, 17C in Aberdeen, and 19C in Belfast. Outbreaks of rain are anticipated to be most frequent and heaviest in northern and western areas, while the east and southeast remain mostly clear.
Record-Breaking Heat Earlier This Week
Earlier in the week, England and Wales experienced their hottest May days on record. Temperatures soared to 35.1C in Kew Gardens, west London, while 32.9C was recorded at Cardiff's Bute Park, according to the Met Office. The extreme heat prompted widespread health warnings and attracted many to open-water swimming.
Tragic Losses During the Heatwave
At least 14 people died during the heatwave after getting into difficulties in bodies of water. On Saturday, Nottinghamshire Police reported that a 19-year-old man had died after entering the water at Balderton Lake, off Heron Way in New Balderton. Emergency services were called to the scene on Thursday, where the man was recovered from the water and treated before being taken to hospital. The force stated that the family has been informed and is being supported by specialist officers. There are no suspicious circumstances, and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
In a separate incident, police confirmed that a 15-year-old girl died in hospital on Saturday after getting into difficulties in the sea off the coast of Merseyside on Bank Holiday Monday. Chiedza Nyanjowa, from Cheshire, was taken to Alder Hey Children's Hospital after swimming at Formby beach. Merseyside Police released a statement expressing the family's gratitude to those who helped the teenager, describing her as a "bubbly person" who loved cooking and aspired to be a nurse to "give back."
The hot weather attracted many to open-water swimming, resulting in additional deaths in South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Cornwall, Hampshire, Warwickshire, Cheshire, Pembrokeshire, Lincolnshire, and Lancashire over recent days. Among the victims were a 72-year-old woman who died after being pulled from the water at West Angle Bay beach in Pembrokeshire, Wales, on Sunday, and a 13-year-old boy, understood to be Reco Puttock, who died after getting into difficulty at Leadbeater Dam, near Halifax, West Yorkshire, on Monday.
Water Supply Disruptions in Kent
Thousands of people in Kent were without drinking water on Saturday due to disruptions to South East Water's supply during the hot weather. On Sunday morning, the company reported that supplies had been largely restored, except for 777 customers in the Wraik Hill and Cranbrook areas. Additionally, 3,879 customers may experience low pressure or intermittent supply in areas including Coxheath, Loose, and Ulcome throughout the day. South East Water apologised for the disruption and assured that it was working to resolve the issues.
