Temperatures of 33C possible in bank holiday weekend heatwave

Temperatures are forecast to rise as high as 33C in parts of the UK as a potential heatwave develops across the long bank holiday weekend. Heat health alerts, external have been issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) - in association with the Met Office - across much of the Midlands and south-east England valid from 09:00 Friday 22 May until 17:00 Wednesday 27 May. The mercury is set continue to creep up each day for the remainder of the week before the warmest weather of the year so far settles in. If readings reach over 32.8C it will be the hottest May temperature on record for the UK. The warmest day of 2026 so far was back on 8 April where temperatures in London reached an unseasonably high 26.6C A heatwave in the UK is defined by the Met Office as at least three consecutive days with daily maximum temperatures exceeding a county-specific threshold, reflecting a sustained spell of unusually hot weather. The heatwave threshold temperature varies across the UK. In Greater London it is 28C whereas in Northern Ireland and Scotland it is 25C. It is likely that a few places could meet the heatwave definition during Friday, Saturday and Sunday. At the moment, areas such as Lo