As warm air moves northwards from southern Europe temperatures are likely to reach the high 20°Cs in the south by Thursday and the mid 20°Cs further north from mid week onwards. By Saturday we could see temperatures topping 30°Cs in one or two places.

As well as warm days in many areas, night-time temperatures could also be above average giving us some warm, muggy nights potentially making it difficult to sleep.

Deputy Chief Meteorologist Chris Tubbs said “Bank Holiday Monday is still some way off in forecast terms and there is still some uncertainty about what weather we can expect, and where. That said over the preceding weekend it will probably become cloudier and less hot from the west with some outbreaks of rain, which could be heavy and thundery at times. Eastern and south-eastern parts will more likely than not stay dry, sunny and locally hot through Saturday too and possibly beyond”.

With the high temperatures and goods spells of sunshine UV levels will be high and it is important to remember to protect against sunburn.

The highest temperature recorded in the UK so far this year is 25.8C at Gravesend and Faversham on 16th May.  This was the highest temperature since 34.4C was reached on September 13th last year in Gravesend, marking the peak of a warm spell mid September 2016. 

The UK May temperature record is 32.8C, this was recorded on 22nd May 1922 (Camden Square, London) and 29th May 1944 (Horsham, Tunbridge Wells and Regent's Park).

The Wales' record is 29.2C on 21st May 1989 at Towy Castle. In N Ireland it's 28.0C at Knockarevan on 31st May 1997 and in Scotland it's 30.9C at Inverailot on 25th May 2012.

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