Amber heat health alerts have been issued after the Met Office predicted a 33C heatwave over the Bank Holiday weekend.
The amber alerts have been issued across the East Midlands, West Midlands, London, East of England and South East, where the UKHSA says “significant impacts are likely across health and social care services due to the high temperatures”. Yellow alerts have been issued for the rest of England.
The Met Office says temperatures could rise to 31C on Saturday, followed by 32C on Sunday, 33C on Monday, and back down to 32C on Tuesday. This would constitute an official heatwave bringing the hottest ever temperature for May. The current record is 32.8C.
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Cambridge, Heathrow and Cranwell recorded the highest temperatures in the UK today, each reaching 28.4C.
This makes today the warmest day of 2026 so far.
Previously, the warmest day this year was on April 8, when temperatures rose to 26.6C at Kew Gardens in London.
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The UK Climate Change Committee has warned that hotter heatwaves by 2050 could cause 92 per cent of UK homes to overheat, creating “dangerous conditions for vulnerable people”.
In its fourth independent assessment of the UK’s climate risk, published on May 20, the government-appointed body said that the expected 2C of global warming by 2050 could cause heat-related hospital admissions to triple.
“By the middle of the century, the UK’s climate will be much more extreme than today,” the report said. “Without global emissions reductions, these risks may go past the point where the UK can protect itself with adaptation measures.”
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Cancer Research UK has urged people to enjoy the sun safely by covering up and using sunscreen.
Its most recent data, from 2022, shows there were 20,980 new cases of melanoma – the highest number it has ever seen.
New analysis from the charity also suggests that the number of people diagnosed with melanoma could reach 26,500 a year by 2040.
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In its outlook for Wednesday, May 27, to Friday, June 5, the Met Office says: “With high pressure expected to remain in place for much of the UK, fine weather and light winds are likely to continue for most places.
“Although perhaps not as warm as the start of the week, temperatures will still be warm or very warm inland, but it will feel cooler near the coast, especially with an onshore breeze.
“Some patchy rain may affect the far northwest at times, with perhaps a few showers in the far south.”
As a reminder, weather forecasts are less accurate beyond seven days.
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While the Met Office expects highs of 33C in some parts of south-east England on Monday, weather modelling maps suggest the hot spell will not last.
Temperature anomaly maps show areas of deep blue across the UK, particularly in Northern Ireland, Scotland, the Midlands and eastern England, indicating where temperatures are expected to fall well below seasonal averages.
Minimum temperature maps suggest the mercury could drop to as low as -1C in Scotland at around 6am.
A temperature anomaly map for the early hours of May 31(Image: WXCharts)
It is currently 27C in parts of London ahead of what is expected to be a “very warm, if not hot” bank holiday weekend for England and Wales.
Aidan McGivern, a senior weather presenter at the Met Office, outlines how the next few days are expected to develop in a video posted by the national weather service on X.
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As a reminder, it is important to never leave anyone – especially babies, young children or animals – in a closed, parked vehicle, as vehicles can heat up very quickly in warm weather.
A child’s body heats up three to five times faster than an adult’s, the Columbia University Irving Medical Centre notes. In the United States, around 40 children die each year in hot vehicles – roughly one every nine days, according to Kids and Car Safety.
The charity also reports that 86 per cent of children who have died in these incidents were aged three or under.
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The Met Office offers the following advice on how to stay safe during a heatwave:
- Look out for people who may struggle to keep cool and hydrated
- Older people, those with underlying health conditions and people living alone are particularly at risk
- Close curtains in rooms facing the sun to help keep heat out
- Drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol
- Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children or animals
- Try to stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm, when UV rays are strongest
- Walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a wide-brimmed hat if you need to go outside in the heat
- Avoid physical exertion during the hottest parts of the day
- Take water with you when travelling, as journeys can take longer than expected
- Keep up to date with the latest weather forecast and any extreme heat warnings
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The NHS identifies the main health risks posed by a heatwave as:
- Dehydration caused by not drinking enough water
- Overheating, which can worsen symptoms for people with heart or breathing problems
- Heat exhaustion and heatstroke, which are potentially serious conditions caused by becoming too hot
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The Met Office has updated its UK weather outlook this afternoon.
In its outlook for Saturday, the national weather service says: “A largely sunny day, although northwest Scotland, Northern Ireland and some western coasts elsewhere often cloudier with some patchy drizzle. Another very warm day for most.”
Its outlook for Sunday to Tuesday reads: “Dry and settled with plenty of sunshine, although the far northwest cloudier with some rain at times. Feeling very warm or hot by day with potentially warm nights too.”
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BBC Weather says temperatures will rise to 29C tomorrow and 31C on Sunday, with 32C on Monday on Tuesday. Temperatures are then expected to drop to 24C on Wednesday.
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Temperatures are expected to reach 32C on Sunday. Areas of deep red on the map below shows where temperatures will rise well above the seasonal average.
Temperature anomaly map for Sunday
There could be more “very warm” conditions next week.
The Met Office forecast for May 27 to June 5 states: “With high pressure expected to remain in place for much of the UK, fine weather and light winds are likely to continue for most places.
“Although perhaps not as warm as the start of the week, temperatures will still be warm or very warm inland, but it will feel cooler near the coast, especially with an onshore breeze. Some patchy rain may affect the far northwest at times, with perhaps a few showers in the far south.”
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The Met Office outlook for Sunday to Tuesday states: “Dry and settled with plenty of sunshine, although the far northwest cloudier with some rain at times. Feeling very warm or hot by day with potentially warm nights too.”
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Temperatures are expected to soar this weekend in what looks to be the hottest days of the year so far. Here’s how hot it could get:
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The Met Office forecast for Saturday states: “A largely sunny day, although northwest Scotland, Northern Ireland and some western coasts elsewhere often cloudier with some patchy drizzle. Another very warm day for most.”
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In its afternoon forecast today, the Met Office predicted highs of 31C to come tomorrow, 32C on Sunday, 33C on Monday and 32C on Tuesday – suggesting the heatwave will last for at least four days.
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Maps from WXCharts show the heatwave is set to carry on into Tuesday with London and areas to west of the capital set to sizzle at up to 33C.
The forecast predicts the temperature at 6pm with large parts of the country around that area reaching up to 30C.
Part of the Greater London area is set for 33C
Brits have flocked to beaches and seafronts today as the UK basks in the hottest day of the year so far. Crowds have been pictured soaking up the sunshine at Southend-on-Sea while others were seen sunbathing in Dover, Kent.
People sunbathe in Dover, Kent(Image: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)
The seafront in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, today(Image: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire)
A temperature of 26.9C has been recorded at Heathrow this afternoon, officially making today the warmest day of 2026 so far.
Previously, the warmest day this year was on April 8, when temperature rose to 26.6C at London’s Kew Gardens.
Temperatures are set to rise even further today.
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The Met Office has warned Brits not to forget their sun cream this weekend, with UV levels expected to be moderate to high across parts of the UK.
Cities including Leeds, London and Exeter are set for elevated UV levels in the coming days.
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The London Fire Brigade (LFB) has warned against the use of disposable barbecues over the coming days.
Assistant commissioner Paul McCourt says there will be a heightened risk of wildfires in London, according to an assessment from the Met Office’s Natural Hazards Partnership. The LFB has advised people to avoid using disposable barbecues and to be careful about how they dispose of cigarettes as a result.
The heightened comes from “wetter-than-usual” weather, which has allowed vegetation to grow, followed by “one of the driest Aprils on record”, McCourt said.
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Temperatures in the UK could peak at 33C over the bank holiday weekend. It means parts of the country will be hotter and drier than areas of the Mediterranean and North Africa, reports the BBC.
Hot, humid air is pushing across north-west Europe, while colder air is affecting the south-east of Europe, including Greece and Turkey.
Highs of 33C are expected on Monday(Image: Andy Commins / Daily Mirror)
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”.
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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.
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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.
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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.