UK weather latest: Britons braced for hottest day of the year - with chance record could be broken
After warm week, today could break record set in 1945
By Christopher England, Sky News meteorologist
It's been getting steadily warmer this week, with successive days each bringing the UK's highest temperature of the year to date - 24.5C at London's St James's Park on Monday, 24.9C at Ross-on-Wye and Trawsgoed on Tuesday, and 26.7C at Wisley yesterday.
The constituent nations recorded their individual maximum yesterday as well, with 26.7C at Wisley in England, 25.8C at Trawsgoed in Wales, 24.4C at Aboyne in Scotland, and 24.1C at Castlederg and Derrylin in Northern Ireland.
It looks like today will be warmer still, with 29C quite likely in the South East.
There's a small chance that 30C could be reached somewhere in that region. This would be the earliest in the calendar year that temperatures have been that high on record (the previous earliest date was 12 May 1945).
May temperatures have only exceeded 30C eight times since records began, mostly near the end of the month.
Although very warm, it's unlikely that official heatwave criteria will be met, while temperatures will decline over the weekend, as an increasingly northerly flow sets in.
That will likely lead to widely below average temperatures on Bank Holiday Monday.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sky News
03-06-2025
- Sky News
Who is the public's favourite (and least favourite) cabinet member?
👉Listen to Politics at Sam and Anne's on your podcast app👈 Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy serve up their essential guide to the day in British politics. Exclusive polling is announced by Sam and Anne, as they reveal the cabinet's popularity rating according to the public. Also, why is the Home Office today releasing a weather report for weather that's already been and gone? They say warm weather impacts the number of small boat crossings. Is this the Labour government laying the turf, readying the British public for a balmy summer, and with that, days of record Channel crossings?
ITV News
29-05-2025
- ITV News
Summer starts with a soaking as mixed weather to continue
Meteorological summer begins this Sunday, but don't pack away the umbrellas just yet. While warmer, more humid air is on the way, bringing the potential for highs of 25-26C in sunnier spots, a fresh wave of unsettled weather is expected to dampen the start of the season. With rain, brisk winds, and only fleeting sunshine on the cards, it's a summer kick-off that feels more spring than sizzle. After a shift in the weather since the long Bank Holiday weekend, some areas have finally seen some much-needed rain. That said, it hasn't been a washout by any means. Several days have brought sunnier skies, contributing to what has already been a record-breaking month for sunshine hours, both for May and for spring as a whole. Despite brisk winds, showers, and occasional longer spells of rain, it has stayed on the mild side thanks to the moisture in the air. As we approach the end of the month, temperatures are set to rise, potentially reaching 25-26C, or even higher, in any sunshine on Saturday. This is due to warmer, more humid air being drawn up from the Continent. However, it won't be a settled, sunny setup. A westerly breeze and outbreaks of rain are expected, particularly in the north and west. This mixed and changeable weather pattern will continue into the first few days of June. Meteorological summer officially begins at the start of the month (though nature's summer is more often marked by the solstice later in June). With it, we say goodbye to the consistent high-pressure systems that brought dry, sunny conditions through much of spring. Instead, low-pressure systems will move in from the mid-Atlantic, accompanied by brisk westerly winds and rain, again, most frequent in the north and west, much like this past week. Some days will be wetter than others, but there will be a mix of sunshine and scattered showers, all moving through fairly quickly on the westerly flow. Temperatures will feel noticeably cooler at times. After a muggy spell in southern and southeastern areas this week and into the weekend, expect a fresher feel in the days to come. The good news? With the longest days of the year approaching, there are plenty of daylight hours for skies to clear and weather to improve. There's a high chance of clearer, brighter evenings on the horizon. What is meteorological Summer? Summer in the meteorological calendar covers the duration of June, July and August, or by the astronomical calendar it begins around mid-June on a day referred to as the summer solstice.
Daily Mirror
29-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Brits told they must keep their curtains shut 'from Saturday'
The UK is set to bask in hot temperatures once again this weekend with the mercury set to top 26C in parts of the country, according to the latest Met Office forecast After several weeks of splendid sunshine, the UK weather predictably reverted to rain and grey skies just in time for the Bank Holiday. However, this coming weekend, the Met Office forecasts indicate that hot conditions are set to make a comeback across much of the country, prompting households to be given advice on how to stay cool in the warmer weather. On Saturday, May 31, temperatures are expected to climb back up to 26C in London and various other parts of the UK, as a warmer front sweeps away the dreary rain. The weather will gradually heat up throughout the week, with 24C predicted for Friday, followed by 25C on Saturday. The forecaster has then predicted a drop in temperatures down to 20C on Sunday and Monday. Given the typical British architecture designed to retain heat due to our generally mild climate and cold winters, our homes are ill-equipped for extreme heat, rapidly turning into uncomfortably hot and humid environments. Official guidelines warn that excessively high indoor temperatures can pose serious health risks, including the danger of heat stroke, reports the Express. Now, Brits are once again being advised to draw their curtains and blinds and shut their windows during the hottest parts of the day, from Wednesday until at least Saturday, May 31, as a measure to combat the sweltering heat engulfing homes across the nation. In the face of concerning heatwaves, the UK Health Security Agency has dispensed top advice for keeping your abode cooler. Their key recommendation is to draw curtains and lower blinds during times of strong sunlight, particularly when it comes to windows that catch the sun's rays. In a set of essential guidelines for coping with heatwaves, the government has detailed tactics for maintaining a cooler home environment, focusing primarily on the comfort of living quarters. Echoing the need to stave off overheating in homes, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) insists on the significance of keeping windows, curtains or blinds closed "in rooms that face the sun". The 'greenhouse effect', similar to that which affects the Earth's Ozone layer, can cause a swift rise in temperature inside houses, much like it heightens warmth within greenhouses, due to direct sun hitting windows. When confronted by sunlight pouring through a window, promptly drawing the drapes could be the simplest countermeasure. Bolstering their comprehensive guidance, the UKHSA counsel includes avoiding exposure to sunlight at peak temperatures between 11am to 3pm. They further recommend: "If you're planning on physical activities like exercising or walking the dog, it's advised to arrange them during cooler parts of the day like the morning or evening. "Keep your home cool by shutting windows and drawing curtains in rooms that are exposed to the sun. "As well as this, when stepping outside, make sure to dress properly with adequate headwear and sunglasses, pursue shaded areas whenever feasible, and don't forget to apply sunscreen. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids and try to limit your alcohol consumption. "Check up on family members, friends and neighbours who may be more susceptible to heat-related illnesses. If you fall into this category, ask them to do the same for you. "Be aware of the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke and know what actions to take if you or someone else exhibits these signs." The Met Office UK's forecast for Friday into Saturday reads: "Unsettled conditions continue Friday with rain spreading across the country, though some areas may stay dry and bright. Sunny spells and scattered showers follow into the weekend. Warm Saturday."
