The United Kingdom is set to experience temperatures higher than those in the Seychelles on Saturday, following the hottest day of the year recorded on Friday. The Met Office has forecast another very warm and sunny day, with 30 degrees Celsius likely in southern England.
Heatwave Continues
This temperature would exceed forecasts for Athens in Greece, Split in Croatia, and even Victoria in the Seychelles. The UK could also see its hottest May day on record on Monday, with temperatures potentially reaching 33 degrees Celsius in southern England and the Midlands.
However, some areas may experience cloudier conditions on Saturday due to a cold front bringing patchy drizzle to north-west Scotland, Northern Ireland, and some western coastal regions, according to the forecaster.
Friday afternoon saw temperatures hit 28.4 degrees Celsius in Heathrow, Cambridge, and Cranwell in Lincolnshire, marking the hottest day of the year so far. The heatwave is expected to persist over the weekend, with 31 degrees Celsius forecast for Sunday.
Records and UV Levels
The current May temperature record stands at 32.8 degrees Celsius, recorded in Camden Square, north London, in 1922, and in Horsham in West Sussex, Tunbridge Wells in Kent, and Regent’s Park in central London in 1944.
UV levels will be high across much of the UK over the bank holiday weekend, with a UV index of seven expected in Cardiff and London on Saturday, and in Manchester on Sunday. The Met Office advises anyone enjoying the outdoors to apply sun cream.
Greg Dewhurst, media adviser and senior operational meteorologist at the Met Office, told the Press Association: “High pressure will dominate through the whole of the Bank Holiday weekend. Plenty of very warm sunshine across England and Wales each day. Scotland and Northern Ireland will see more cloud at times, with a few showers across north-west Scotland.”
Health Alerts Issued
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued amber heat health alerts on Friday morning for the East Midlands, West Midlands, the east of England, London, and the South East. These alerts will remain in place until 5pm on Wednesday, replacing less severe yellow alerts previously issued.
According to the UKHSA website, the amber alerts indicate a likely “rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions” and increased demand on all health and social care services. Yellow alerts have been issued for the north-east and north-west of England, Yorkshire and Humber, and the South West, indicating possible significant impacts on health and social care services.
