High pressure will dominate the UK’s weather through the bank holiday weekend, bringing a spell of increasingly warm and sunny conditions.
For many areas, this will feel more like mid-summer than late May, with temperatures rising well above average and the potential for some notably high values as the weekend progresses.
While much of the country will enjoy fine weather, there will still be some regional differences, particularly across north-western areas where more cloud persists at times.
Saturday
Saturday marks the first peak of the heat for many, especially across England and Wales. High pressure will bring long spells of sunshine, with eastern and central areas experiencing particularly clear skies through much of the day.
Temperatures will rise significantly, with highs reaching around 30°C in the far south-east of England and widely into the high twenties across central and southern regions. In these areas, it will feel very hot in direct sunshine, with strong late-spring sunshine adding to the intensity of the warmth.
Further north and west, including parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland, it will be cooler and somewhat cloudier. Although any rain is expected to ease, persistent cloud will keep temperatures in the high teens to low twenties.
One notable feature of the day will be the contrast between inland and coastal areas. Despite the heat inland, coastal regions will be noticeably cooler, particularly along the south-east coast, where sea breezes and relatively cold sea temperatures will keep values closer to 20°C.
Temperatures over the next few days will be unusually high for this time of year 🌡️
— Met Office (@metoffice) May 21, 2026
While it may feel like a summer’s day, the sea will still be fairly cold so take care if you’re heading to the coast this weekend 🌊 pic.twitter.com/ug6YhHRtrt
Sunday
The heat intensifies further on Sunday as high pressure remains firmly in control across the UK. Sunshine will again be widespread across England, Wales and southern Scotland. Northern and western areas may begin the day with more cloud, but brighter conditions are expected to develop as the day goes on.
Temperatures will climb higher still, with many areas experiencing very warm or hot conditions. Parts of south-east England are expected to reach around 32°C, with low 30s possible more widely across eastern England.
Elsewhere, Wales and the south coast will see highs in the high twenties, while northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland will generally see temperatures in the low to mid twenties. These values are still above average for the time of year, though less intense than in the south and east.
Overall, Sunday is likely to be one of the hottest days of the weekend, with temperatures approaching the UK’s May record of 32.8°C.
Bank holiday Monday
The bank holiday Monday is expected to bring the peak of the heat. Temperatures may reach around 33°C across parts of southern and central England, with the potential to challenge or exceed existing late-May records.
By this stage, high pressure becomes more dominant across the whole of the UK. This means that areas in the north and west, which start the weekend on the cooler side, are likely to see more sunshine and higher temperatures by Monday.
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Impacts and advice
With strong sunshine and high temperatures, there are several factors to consider. UV levels will be high throughout the weekend, and pollen levels are also expected to be very high, which could cause issues for those with allergies.
Coastal areas may offer some respite from the heat, although sea temperatures remain relatively cold. This can create a sharp contrast between air and water temperatures, so caution is advised for those entering the sea.
Keep up to date with weather warnings, and you can find the latest forecast on our website, on YouTube, by following us on X and Facebook, as well as on our mobile app which is available for iPhone from the App store and for Android from the Google Play store.
