How hot will it get in London this bank holiday heatwave?
Temperatures are expected to soar above 30C over the bank holiday weekend as Britons brace for the hottest days of the year so far.
Parts of the UK are forecast to be warmer than some popular Mediterranean holiday destinations as a heatwave develops over the weekend, meteorologists have said.
The Met Office forecast a high temperature of 33 degrees in London on Monday; This heat may also be felt in other parts of southern England. This will be the hottest May day in history.
The current May temperature record is 32.8C, recorded in Camden Square in London in 1922. Anything above 29.4C would be the warmest May temperature recorded in the UK since 2012.
High temperatures are expected to exceed those in Greece, including Mykonos, Rhodes and Santorini, over the weekend.
Here is the London weather forecast for the weekend:
Temperatures are expected to reach 28C in some parts of England on Friday, before rising above 30C in several areas over the next three days, the Met Office said.
In the UK, a heatwave is officially recorded when an area experiences at least three consecutive days in which temperatures exceed or exceed the region’s heatwave threshold.
While these conditions may also occur in Wales over the weekend, the weather in Scotland and Northern Ireland is expected to be milder, cloudy and with occasional drizzle on Saturday.
Temperatures reached 28.4C in Cambridge, Heathrow and Cranwell, Lincolnshire, on Friday evening, the hottest day of the year so far, the Met Office said.
Greg Wolverson, deputy chief forecaster at the Met Office, said: “There will be a period of very warm weather across much of the UK over the weekend and next week.
“High pressure will dominate the weather in the UK over the bank holiday weekend and this should bring good, stable conditions to most areas.
“Parts of north-west Scotland will be the exception to this, where it will be cooler and cloudier with some rain at times. There is also a small risk of thunder in the south from late Friday into Saturday.”
The UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) has issued amber or amber heat health warnings covering every part of the country over the weekend and lasting until next week.
The agency warned of “significant impacts” across health and social care services in areas covered by yellow alerts, including London, the Midlands, the east of England and the South East.
Met Office forecast for London
Saturday
Clear clouds and rain need to be present in the morning to ensure a bright, sunny and warm day. I stay a little cooler along the beach. Maximum temperature 30C.
Sunday to Tuesday
Largely bright and sunny overall, particularly warm, slightly cooler along the coast and an onshore flow. The wind will generally remain light throughout the period.
How do you protect your health in hot weather?
The UKHSA offers the following advice on staying safe and healthy in hot weather:
- If you’re going to do a physical activity (such as exercising or walking the dog), plan to do it during cooler parts of the day, such as early morning or evening.
- Keep your home cool by closing windows and curtains in sunny rooms.
- Drink plenty of fluids and limit your alcohol intake.
- Check in on family, friends, and neighbors who may be at higher risk of getting sick, and ask them to do the same for you if you’re at higher risk.
- Learn the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke and what to do if you or someone else has these symptoms.
- Try to avoid direct sunlight, especially between 11am and 3pm, when UV levels are highest.
- If you are going out during this time, cover yourself with appropriate clothing, wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, seek shade, and apply sunscreen liberally and reapply frequently.
