A scorching heatwave of 35C is expected to engulf the UK during this bank holiday weekend, drawing crowds to the beaches for what has been coined as “May’s fiery flip-flop.”
Following a period of chilly weather, the UK is bracing for a potentially record-breaking heatwave over the late May bank holiday, as indicated by a weather expert speaking to the Mirror. Some regions may experience temperatures 2C to 3C higher than the previous May record on Monday.
The return of intense heat to the UK has been described as strikingly sudden by Jim Dale, a senior meteorologist at British Weather Services. This heat surge, fueled by an African plume following closely on the heels of an Arctic polar front, is expected to significantly raise temperatures across the country.
Predictions point to Bank Holiday Monday being the hottest day of the long weekend, with London potentially hitting a remarkable 35C—nearly 3C above the previous May record. Other areas, including Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Huntingdonshire, Northamptonshire, and Lincolnshire, are also likely to experience similar scorching temperatures.
In the northern regions, record-breaking temperatures are anticipated on a local scale, with the northwest of England and parts of Scotland expecting highs of up to 29C. Mr. Dale highlighted the possibility of surpassing the current record of 32.8C, hinting at potential temperatures reaching as high as 34C or 35C due to climate change influences.
The weekend is expected to kick off with Saturday resembling Friday’s weather pattern, with the chance of isolated thundery showers. Temperatures are forecasted to hover between 24C and 25C in some areas, gradually rising over the following days.
By Sunday, temperatures could climb to between 27C and 28C before a significant spike on Bank Holiday Monday. Depending on wind patterns and cloud cover, Tuesday could also see extremely high temperatures, according to meteorological forecasts.
The Met Office concurred, indicating that the peak of the heatwave is anticipated on Monday, with high pressure dominating most of the UK, resulting in even sunnier and warmer conditions in cooler regions.
Moreover, an amber heat health alert has been issued for the East of England, signaling potential health and social care services disruptions due to high indoor temperatures exceeding recommended levels, including within hospitals. The alert is in effect from 2pm on Friday until 5pm on Wednesday, according to the UK Health Security Agency.
