Hottest day of year as 30.5C recorded and temperatures set to soar

Temperatures will continue to soar across the bank holiday weekend following the hottest day of the year so far on Saturday.

Temperatures reached 30.5C at Frittenden in Kent, beating the previous day’s maximum temperature of 28.4C in London.

The Met Office said it was very rare for the UK to record temperatures above 30C in May, with the last time being on 25 May 2012.

The heat is forecast to intensify throughout the long weekend, reaching heatwave criteria in a number of locations.

Daytime highs are forecast to reach the upper 20s Celsius in many areas, with the low 30s Celsius likely in the week ahead.

Amber heat health alerts remain in effect for the Midlands, eastern and south-east England.

Amber alerts mean there is a risk of a significant impact across health and social care services, with children and those aged over 65 at risk of negative health implications.

The remainder of England is under yellow heat health alerts, meaning adverse weather is “likely to affect vulnerable groups”.

It is likely that the first heatwaves of 2026 will be declared on Sunday as a number of areas are expected to reach their third day above the heatwave threshold, including in London and the south-east, as well as Cardiff.

Locally in the south Midlands and south-east England, it could hit 30C again on Sunday.

Days exceeding 30C – known as “very hot” days by the Met Office – used to be much rarer.

During the last decade, the number of these “very hot” days more than trebled compared with the 1961-1990 average, according to the Met Office.

Meanwhile, the cloud that has been lurking across southern Scotland and Northern Ireland should clear and whilst not as hot it will at least be sunny.

Monday is forecast to be the hottest May day on record with temperatures reaching 33C in south-east England.

There is a small chance of the mercury could peak at 34C.

By surpassing 32.8C, it will break the May temperature record set on the Late May Bank Holiday in 1944.

But take note if you are planning to visit the east coast of England – you may come across some mist.

By Tuesday then across Wednesday and Thursday, temperatures which have been fairly muted for Scotland and Northern Ireland begin to rise. Glasgow could reach the low to mid 20s. Western Northern Ireland could also see the warmth approaching the mid 20s.

The UK weather varies a lot naturally, but this early season heat is consistent with the long-term trend of rising temperatures as a result of human-caused climate change.

What is extraordinary about this heatwave is not only the level of heat but its duration.

The current forecast points to another hot day on Tuesday with highs up to 33C. After a break in the heat at midweek, temperatures will rise once again potentially reaching the high 20s or even 30C.