What you need to know as bank holiday record falls amid sweltering temperatures

The UK experienced its hottest May day for at least 79 years on Sunday, but the worst is not over, with “historic” temperatures set to break records for the warmest ever bank holiday Monday.

Parts of the UK were as hot as the Mediterranean on Sunday, with a high of 32.3C at Kew Gardens in south-west London, but Monday’s temperatures are expected to soar even higher to 34C in Greater London and across south-east England.

“Into (this) week, these conditions are expected to become more widespread, extending across central and western England and into parts of Wales, as temperatures remain well above average,” said Greg Wolverson, the deputy forecaster at the Met Office.

Wales and Northern Ireland also reached 2026 record temperatures of 27.4C in Cardiff and 23.4C in Armagh on Sunday.

Scotland had highs of 23.5C in Edinburgh on Sunday, just 0.1C below the current record of 23.6C in Aboyne on May 1.

Where are the hottest parts of the country?

The Met Office said heatwave conditions have now been met in eight parts of England – Heathrow in Greater London, Benson in Oxfordshire, Brooms Barn in Suffolk, High Beech in Essex, Kew Gardens in London, Northolt in London, Santon Downham in Suffolk and Writtle in Essex.

The Met Office said its heatwave threshold in those places is 27C for three consecutive days.

It was closely followed by Heathrow, where the criteria is three consecutive days at 28C.

Amber heat health alerts remain in force for parts of the Midlands and eastern England until at least Wednesday.

Tom Morgan, a Met Office meteorologist, told the Press Association: “We rarely see temperatures above 35C, even in the summer months, so to see temperatures getting close to 35C in May is pretty historic.”

What are some survival tips?

Heat is considered to be more dangerous for older adults as their bodies struggle to regulate temperature.

Age UK is recommending they stay inside during the hottest hours of the day, which are between 11am and 3pm, and have regular cold baths or showers.

Caroline Abrahams, Age UK charity director, said: “We can all help older people stay safe during periods of hot weather by checking in on older relatives, friends and neighbours to see if they need anything or are struggling with the heat.

“Offering to pick up shopping or medication, or even lending a fan, can make a real difference.”

Is this an indication of the upcoming summer?

This comes after the UK experienced its hottest summer on record in 2025 as vast swathes of England and Wales spent months in drought.

Experts have warned the UK could experience a similarly hot and dry summer this year, as climate scientists predict an El Niño could emerge.

The Pacific weather pattern – which some scientists are branding a “super El Niño” – is expected to arrive as early as this month, supercharging extreme weather events and driving up global temperatures.

With PA

المصدر: iNews