Bank Holiday Heatwave Set to Scorch the UK

The Met Office predicts a warm spell over the bank-holiday weekend. High pressure will bring fine weather, though north-west Scotland will stay cooler. Forecasts show a peak of 30 °C in London, 27 °C in Exeter and Nottingham, and high-20s elsewhere.

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The heatwave follows the UK’s hottest summer in 2025, which brought drought, delayed reservoirs and 40 % loss in tree-planting projects. Scientists warn a “super El Niño” could emerge by June, intensifying weather.

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Temperatures will range from 30 °C in London to 27 °C in Exeter and Nottingham. Met Office defines a heatwave as three consecutive days at or above a set temperature and expects it from Sunday in south-east England, spreading across England. A 40 % chance of 33 °C in southern England on Sunday would beat the May record of 32.8 °C set in 1922.

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UKHSA issued yellow alerts for East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London and South East, warning risk to vulnerable people. Heat raises concerns about heat-related illness among elderly and those with conditions, while sunshine will draw crowds to beaches and beer gardens, raising exposure.

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The Met Office says pressure will bring weather, though north-west Scotland will stay cooler. It warns heatwave thresholds are likely to be met in south-east England from Sunday. UKHSA advises staying hydrated, avoiding exposure and monitoring vulnerable groups.

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Health officials warn hot days could strain services, while critics say public underestimates heat.

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Met Office forecasts a 30 °C peak for Monday; Tom Morgan cites a 40 % chance of 33 °C on Sunday, leaving the record outcome uncertain.

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• “High pressure will be in charge of the UK’s weather over the bank holiday weekend and this should bring fine and settled conditions to most areas,” — Greg Wolverson, Met Office Deputy Forecaster

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• “The exception will be parts of northwestern Scotland where it will be cooler and cloudier with some rain at times.” — Greg Wolverson, Met Office Deputy Forecaster

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• “Wolverson explained: “Heatwave thresholds – defined as three consecutive days at or above a set temperature – are likely to be reached in parts of the UK from Sunday, most likely in southeastern England.” — Greg Wolverson, Met Office Deputy Forecaster

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• “Records could be broken Tom Morgan, a Met Office meteorologist, highlighted there is a 40 per cent chance temperatures could soar as high as 33°C in southern England on Sunday.” — Tom Morgan, Met Office meteorologist

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The Met Office expects above-average temperatures to continue into early June, with further heatwave declarations possible across central and western England and Wales. Monitoring the potential “super El Niño” will be essential to assess the risk of an unusually hot and dry summer.

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