Temperatures could rise to 33C over the Bank Holiday weekend as Met Office forecasters predict an official heatwave and the Government’s UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issues amber heat health alerts.
Previously yellow warnings have been upgraded to amber for the Midlands, eastern and south-east England. Further yellow alerts have also come into force for south-west England and across northern England from now until 5pm on Wednesday.
It means significant impacts are likely across health and social care services, including “a rise in deaths, particularly among those ages 65 and over or with health conditions”.
The Met Office weather agency reckons the mercury could to 30C on Saturday, followed by 32C on Sunday and a sweltering 33C on Monday – which would be the hottest ever temperature for May. The current record is 32.8C.
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Network Rail has issued guidance for anyone travelling by train in areas facing blistering temperatures in the coming days.
They have advised that commuters check before travelling and allow more time for journeys, carry water bottles, which can be filled up at fountains at big stations and avoid boarding trains if feeling unwell.
Southern Railway has said trains are likely to be busier than usual, “particularly on routes to coastal destinations”.
Zahra KhaliqToday10:46 BST
A yellow heat health alert is issued when adverse weather is likely to affect vulnerable groups. An amber alert means weather conditions could impact the entire population or the NHS, with travel disruption likely.
Yellow alert risks: Risks include a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions, as well as an increased demand on health and social care services and heat affecting the ability of the workforce to deliver services.
Amber alert risks: The same risks as above stand for places under amber alerts, but further warnings include issues managing medicines, an increased demand for power that exceeds capacity and travel delays. The current alerts have been given a risk of 12, meaning there’s a 60-89% likelihood of these impacts.
Zahra KhaliqToday10:40 BST
A map shows where amber and yellow heat health alerts have been issued in the UK
Regions that have been upgraded from yellow to amber warnings include the East Midlands, West Midlands, East England, London and South East England.
Yellow and amber heat alerts have been issued across the UK(Image: UKHSA)
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has upgraded the heat health alert from yellow to amber.
Affected regions include the Midlands, eastern and south-east England. Yellow alerts, in place from now until 5pm on Wednesday, have also come into force for south-west England and across northern England.
Zahra KhaliqToday09:54 BST
The Bank Holiday weekend will see an exceptional spell of warmth for the rest of May as the UK braces for a heatwave, the Met Office says in its latest forecast.
Temperatures began to rise yesterday, with high pressure bringing more settled conditions and clear skies for many acorss the country.
The exception will be parts of western Scotland and Northern Ireland where it will be cooler and cloudier with some rain at times, the forecaster said.
Zahra KhaliqToday08:44 BST
Brits up and down the country will be preparing to make the most of the sun this bank holiday weekend, but with thousands expected to flock to public transport networks, it’s important to stay safe and keep cool while travelling.
The Met Office recommends carrying water and drinking lots of fluids. Commuters who feel unwell should get off at the next stop for some fresh air.
“Dress light, choose light fabrics in light colours,” the guidance adds. For anyone struggling, use ice packs/cold compresses to wrists, neck, elbows to help them cool down quickly. A small hand-held battery fan is also recommended during heatwaves.
It’s important to keep cool on public transport(Image: SWNS)
A series of heat health alerts have been issued by the Government’s UKHSA as the country braces for a bank holiday heatwave with blistering highs of 33C.
The agency has issued yellow warnings for London, the South East, the East of England and the Midlands starting from 9am today.
The alerts mean people need to be aware of “minor impacts” including increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable people, greater risk to life of vulnerable people and increased potential for indoor environments to become very warm.
You can read the full story here.
Christopher MallettToday07:15 BST
Highs of 27C are expected across parts of the southeast and the East Midlands today, with London, Cambridge, Nottingham and Lincoln among the areas set to enjoy the warmest weather, according to the Met Office.
Much of England and Wales will see largely sunny skies throughout the day, although some low clould could affect western coastal areas at times.
Further north, Scotland and Northern Ireland are expected to be cloudier, with occasional rain mixed in with sunny spells.
Temperatures are set to peak at 27C today(Image: PA)
While reaching 30°C in May is rare, the UK has experienced some high temperatures during the month. Records of the hottest May days provide further insight into how marked late spring heat can become when conditions align.
According to the Met Offic the highest temperatures recorded in May is 32.8°C, with several notable occurrences. These include readings at Camden Square and Greenwich in Greater London during May 1922, as well as across parts of southeast England including Tunbridge Wells and Horsham during late May 1944.
Other significant hot days include temperatures of around 32.2°C recorded at Camden Square on 31 May 1947, and 31.7°C recorded at Heathrow and Farnham on 25 May 1953. Most of these highest temperatures are concentrated in southern and southeastern England, where proximity to continental Europe and generally lower cloud cover increases the likelihood of warmth during settled conditions.
Paige IngramToday03:16 BST
The most recent occurrence of temperatures reaching at least 30°C in May dates back to May 2012, when the threshold was met on 25 May.
Prior to that, there were similarly high temperatures reported in May 2010 (23 May) and May 2005 (27 May), demonstrating that while uncommon, summer-like heat in May is not unprecedented in the UK climate.
Paige IngramToday02:18 BST
As the RNLI celebrates reaching 25 years of keeping beaches safer by delivering a world class lifeguarding service, their advice remains crucial to staying safe at the seaside. Choosing a lifeguarded beach, swimming between the red and yellow flags and knowing what to do in an emergency can make all the difference.
Samantha Hughes, RNLI Water Safety Partner, says: “If you find yourself in difficulty in the water, try to remain calm and remember Float to Live: lean back with your ears submerged, extend your arms and legs, and float until you can control your breathing and wait for help to arrive or before moving to safety. If you see someone else in trouble in the water, phone 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.”
The RNLI’s Float to Live guidance provides clear tips for anyone who finds themselves struggling in the water:
- Tilt your head back, with your ears submerged
- Relax and try to breathe normally
- Move your hands and feet to help you stay afloat
- It’s fine if your legs sink, we all float differently
- Practise floating in a local pool if you can
Paige IngramToday02:12 BST
Paige IngramToday00:01 BST
Cases of the most serious form of skin cancer have reached a record high in Britain amid sun safety warnings before an expected heatwave.
New data from Cancer Research UK (CRUK) shows annual new melanoma skin cancer cases in the UK have risen above 20,000 for the first time. The charity is urging people to stay safe in the sun as temperatures are expected to hit as high as 33C in parts of the country this bank holiday weekend.
Paige Ingram21st May23:07 BST
Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Steve Kocher, said: “Temperatures will climb through the weekend, especially in the south, where 30C is likely to be recorded on Saturday and 32C on Sunday.
“Temperatures are forecast to peak on Monday when we could see 33C recorded in southern England and the Midlands.”
Ethan Blackshaw21st May22:39 BST
The Met Office has issued the following advice for staying safe in water as temperatures look set to surge across the UK.
- Check the water temperature, our seas and river temperatures are low enough to cause cold water shock when 15C or lower
- Wear a wetsuit if you plan on spending any length of time in the water
- Wearing a life jacket or swimming buoy can increase your chances if you experience cold water shock
Ethan Blackshaw21st May22:19 BST
Temperature anomaly maps show where temperatures are expected to be above or below the seasonal average.
GFS model maps for Monday show areas of deep red right across the country. This suggests temperatures will be well above what is expected for this time of year.
The mercury should hit 33C on Monday.
Temperature anomaly map for Monday
“People heading to the coast should be mindful that sea surface temperatures are not as high as they would be in mid-summer when the UK more usually records temperatures in the 30s,” the Met Office says. “Current sea surface temperatures range from 9C around Scotland to 13C around the south west of the England.”
People are urged to use tools such as the beach forecasts on the Met Office app to better understand local conditions and stay safe.
Ethan Blackshaw21st May21:41 BST
The Met Office forecast for May 26 to June 4 states: “Temperatures will fall through this period to be above normal but not as hot as through the preceding Bank Holiday weekend.
“With high pressure expected to remain in place for much of the UK, fine weather is 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 overall, feeling very warm at times with light winds.”
Ethan Blackshaw21st May21:20 BST
The UKHSA has issued yellow heat health alerts in five regions – East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London and the South East. They are due to last until May 27 and suggest “minor impacts are likely across health and social services” due to hot conditions, including:
- increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable people
- greater risk to life of vulnerable people
- increased potential for indoor environments to become very warm
Heat health alerts issued in UK
Brits can expect a “warm start” tomorrow, according to the Met Office. However, there will also be some rain and cloud in places.
Ethan Blackshaw21st May20:41 BST
The Met Office has issued the following tips for staying cool on public transport as temperatures surge this weekend.
- Carry some water with you and drink lots of fluids
- If you feel unwell get off at next stop for some fresh air
- Dress light, choose light fabrics in light colours
- Help others – for anyone struggling, ice packs/cold compresses to wrists, neck, elbows can help them cool down quickly
- Take a small hand-held battery fan
Ethan Blackshaw21st May20:30 BST
Weather forecasting maps suggest the scorching temperatures could continue after the Bank Holiday weekend.
The latest ECMWF model predictions show highs of 32C are possible on Tuesday.
Maximum possible temperatures (C) for Tuesday
BBC Weather states: “Saturday may see the odd shower in the south-east. Cloud and some drizzle in the north-west but sunny elsewhere.
“On Sunday and Monday, most will have sunny spells once early fog in the west lifts, but coastal areas may see low cloud linger. Cloudier with light rain in the north. Very warm or hot, but cooler in the north-west.”
Ethan Blackshaw21st May20:01 BST
The Met Office says temperatures could rise to 28C in southern areas tomorrow. Highs of 25C are expected in northern areas.
The mercury will then rise to 30C on Saturday, 32C on Sunday and 33C on Monday, the Met Office predicts.
Ethan Blackshaw21st May19:50 BST
An official heatwave is declared when we have three consecutive days where temperatures anywhere in the country surpass the heatwave threshold.
The threshold varies from 28C to 25C in different counties – meaning this weekend will smash through it.
Map showing heatwave threshold across UK(Image: Met Office)
“Although winds are expected to turn more southerly by the end of the week, the rise in temperatures is not primarily due to hot air being transported directly from southern Europe or North Africa,” the Met Office said.
“Instead, the main driver of the warming trend is the development of high pressure over and near the UK. As this high-pressure strengthens, it causes sinking air in the atmosphere. This descending air is compressed as it moves downward, leading to warming through a process known as adiabatic compression.”
Ethan Blackshaw21st May19:41 BST
The Met Office has issued tips for keeping cool during the upcoming Bank Holiday heatwave.
- Keep out of the sun and avoid any exercise between 11am to 3pm when the sun is the strongest
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Close your curtains in rooms that face the sun
- If you are going out, take water with you, keep in the shade, wear sunscreen and wear a wide brimmed hat
People are urged to keep curtains closed(Image: Getty)
Record-breaking temperatures this weekend follow a study published last summer by Met Office scientists found that the chances of surpassing the May temperature record set in 1944 have been increasing as our climate changes.
The study found that breaking the 32.8C May record is around three times more likely now in our current climate than it would have been in a natural climate not impacted by greenhouse gas emissions. What was around a 1-in-100 year event is now around a 1-in-33 year event.
Ethan Blackshaw21st May19:32 BST
Advanced weather forecasting maps suggest 21 counties could face temperatures of 30C or above on Monday.
You can find the full list here.
21 counties are set for temperatures of 30C or above
The British Red Cross has issued advice to Brits as temperatures are set to surge above 30C.
Dafydd Beech, National Community Education Manager at the British Red Cross, said: “As we come into the summer months, warm weather gives us a chance to get out a bit more and enjoy ourselves. It’s important to take care while you have fun with friends and family to avoid becoming dehydrated, getting sun burn or even heat stroke.
“Getting into the habit of taking steps whenever temperatures rise can really help. It can be simple things like wearing sunscreen, drinking plenty of fluids or ensuring you take breaks from the sun. Building these habits early means people are better prepared if hotter weather lasts longer.”