On Monday, the highest temperature is expected in an area covering Lincolnshire, the Midlands, western parts of East Anglia and southwards into the London area. Here 35°C is forecast. Temperatures exceeding 30°C are expected from southern parts of northern England southwards and westwards into eastern Wales.

Tuesday will be another very hot day, with a rapid rise in temperatures through the morning. A peak of 35°C is again expected in London, the Home Counties and Cambridgeshire. More widely temperatures exceeding 30°C will again be reached across eastern Wales, and eastern, southern and central England away from immediate coastal areas.

The heat will continue through the week, with highs of 31°C forecast for Wednesday, 30°C on Thursday, 27°C on Friday and 28°C on Saturday.

Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster, Steve Kocher, said: “It is likely that the May and Spring UK temperature records will be broken over the Bank Holiday weekend, with forecast temperatures surpassing the existing record of 32.8°C. As well as it being hot, there will be lots of dry and sunny weather for much of the UK."

The all-time May temperature record currently stands at 32.8°C (Camden Square 22 May 1922; and then Horsham, Tunbridge Wells and Regent’s Park on 29 May 1944).

READ MORE: How often do we reach 30°C in May in the UK?

The Met Office is encouraging people to be WeatherReady this Bank Holiday weekend as temperatures are set to rise, with many expected to head outdoors and to the coast.

With lifeguard rescues having more than doubled last year according to the RNLI, planning ahead is important. Using tools such as the beach forecasts on the Met Office app helps people to better understand local conditions and stay safe.

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 30°Cs. Current sea surface temperatures range from 9°C around Scotland to 13°C around the south west of the England.

Ashley Jones, Head of Water Safety & Education at Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), said: “As air temperatures rise, it’s important people don’t underestimate the risks associated with entering open water. Even during a heatwave, water will remain dangerously cold, and cold water shock is a very real danger. Sudden immersion can cause an involuntary gasp, rapid breathing and panic, which can quickly lead to a loss of control in the water - even for strong swimmers.

"We’re urging the public to choose lifeguarded locations wherever possible, where safety measures and supervision are in place. If you are spending time near water with children, always supervise them closely, keep them within arm’s reach, and consider dressing them in brightly coloured swimwear to improve visibility.

"Open water environments are very different from controlled swimming areas. There may be hidden hazards beneath the surface, strong currents, and colder temperatures that can seriously affect your ability to swim. It’s vital to respect your limits, avoid swimming alone, and talk to your family about water safety before you visit.

"If you see someone in trouble, don’t be tempted to enter the water to rescue them. Instead, call 999, encourage them to float on their back, and throw something that floats to assist them. Taking simple precautions can help prevent tragedies and ensure everyone stays safe while enjoying the water during warmer weather.”

Heatwave this Bank Holiday

Heatwave thresholds - defined as three consecutive days at or above a set temperature - have been reached in parts of the UK from Sunday, as the week progresses, these conditions are expected to become more widespread, extending across central and western England and into parts of Wales, as temperatures remain well above average.

A UK heatwave threshold is met when a location records a period of at least three consecutive days with daily maximum temperatures meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature threshold. The threshold varies by UK county.

Why is it turning warmer

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.

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.

In simple terms, as air is compressed, its temperature increases. This process can significantly raise temperatures at the surface, even when the original air mass is not especially warm. In this case, much of the air over the UK still originates from the Atlantic, but it becomes warmer as it descends under high pressure.

This mechanism is a common feature of warmer spells in the UK and is often more important than the transport of heat from lower latitudes.

Staying safe in the heat

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued amber heat-health alerts (HHA) for five regions of England, warning that high temperatures over the coming days may put vulnerable people at increased risk and reminding health and social care services to prepare for further alerts over the summer as temperatures rise. Yellow heat health alerts have been issued for southwestern and northern England.

Dr Anya Gopfert, Consultant in Health Protection at UKHSA, said: “We know that even moderate heat can lead to serious health problems, especially for older people and those with certain health conditions, so it’s important that everyone takes simple precautions while enjoying the warm weather over the coming days.

“If you have friends, family or neighbours who are more vulnerable, it is important to check in on them and ensure they are aware of the forecasts and are following the necessary advice.”

As people prepare to meet up with friends and family to enjoy the sun this week, the British Red Cross is offering guidance that can help everyone stay safe,

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.”

May heat and climate change

A climate attribution study published last summer by Met Office scientists found that the chances of surpassing the May temperature record set in 1922 and 1944 have been increasing as our climate changes as a consequence of human greenhouse gas emissions.

The study found that breaking the 32.8°C 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.  

You can read the full research in the Royal Meteorological Society’s Journal ‘Weather’.

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Sun setting over sand dunes.