A wave of urgent health advisories has been released across the United Kingdom in anticipation of a scorching bank holiday heatwave with soaring temperatures of up to 33C. The Met Office has cautioned that the mercury could rise to 30C on Saturday, 32C on Sunday, and a blistering 33C on Monday, potentially breaking the record for the highest-ever May temperature.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued yellow heat warnings effective from 9 am today, highlighting the increased risk to vulnerable individuals in the affected regions due to high temperatures. Temperatures are expected to peak at 27C nationwide today and are projected to climb even higher over the bank holiday weekend.
Yellow heat alerts are currently in effect from 9 am today, May 22, until 5 pm on May 27 in the East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, and the South East, indicating potential impacts on health and social services, including heightened healthcare utilization by vulnerable populations, increased risk to vulnerable individuals, and a greater likelihood of indoor spaces becoming excessively warm.
Meteorologist Tom Morgan from the Met Office has indicated a 40% probability that southern England could hit 33C on Sunday, surpassing the current May temperature record of 32.8C set in Camden Square, London, in 1922. Weekend temperatures are forecasted to surpass heatwave thresholds, ranging from 25C to 28C across different regions for three consecutive days.
Steve Kocher, the Met Office’s deputy chief forecaster, has warned of hot and dry weather conditions across the UK, with temperatures expected to escalate throughout the weekend, reaching 30C on Saturday and 32C on Sunday, potentially peaking at 33C on Monday in southern England and the Midlands. Kocher predicts that the existing May and Spring UK temperature records will likely be broken over the Bank Holiday weekend.
In addition to the rising temperatures, dry and sunny weather is anticipated for most of the UK, with the exception of some cloud cover and showers in Northern Ireland and western Scotland. The coastal areas may experience low cloud and sea fog due to relatively cool sea surface temperatures.