The UK is forecast to experience its hottest bank holiday on record on Monday, with temperatures potentially reaching 34C in Greater London and south-east England. This comes after Sunday marked the hottest May day in at least 79 years, with a high of 32.3C recorded at Kew Gardens in south-west London.
Historic Temperatures Expected
Tom Morgan, a Met Office meteorologist, described the predicted temperatures as "pretty historic," noting that the UK rarely sees temperatures above 35C even in summer. Wales and Northern Ireland also set new records for 2026 on Sunday, with 27.4C in Cardiff and 23.4C in Armagh. Scotland reached 23.5C in Edinburgh, just below the current record of 23.6C set in Aboyne on May 1.
Heatwave Conditions Across England
The Met Office confirmed that heatwave conditions were met in eight parts of England on Sunday, including Heathrow, Benson, Brooms Barn, High Beech, Kew Gardens, Northolt, Santon Downham, and Writtle. However, north-west Scotland is expected to experience breezier and damper weather with thicker clouds.
Health Alerts and Safety Advice
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued its first amber health alert of 2026 on Friday, warning of significant impacts on health and social care services. The alert remains in place until Wednesday. Vulnerable groups, particularly older adults, are at risk as their bodies struggle to regulate temperature.
Age UK recommends staying indoors between 11am and 3pm, the hottest hours, and taking regular cold baths or showers. Charity director Caroline Abrahams urged people to check on older relatives, friends, and neighbours, offering to pick up shopping or medication, or lending a fan.
Tragic Incident
Lincolnshire Police reported that the body of 15-year-old Declan Sawyer was recovered from Swanholme Lakes in Lincoln after he was reported in trouble at 2.30pm on Sunday.
Saturday was the first time this year the UK passed 30C, and Sunday saw the hottest May temperature since 1947.
