The Met Office has forecast an official heatwave for the Bank Holiday weekend, with temperatures expected to soar to 33C across parts of the UK. The national weather agency reports that temperatures will begin to climb on Friday, especially in southern regions, potentially reaching 30C on Saturday, 32C on Sunday, and 33C on Monday.
Record-Breaking Temperatures Expected
"It is likely that the May and Spring UK temperature records will be broken over the Bank Holiday weekend," said Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Steve Kocher. The existing record stands at 32.8C. This will represent an official heatwave, which is declared when three consecutive days see temperatures exceeding the heatwave threshold. The threshold ranges from 28C to 25C in different counties, meaning this weekend will sail past it.
Heatwave Conditions Across the UK
The Met Office reports that heatwave conditions will probably be reached in parts of the south-east on Sunday. They could then extend "across central and western England and into parts of Wales." Weather maps back up these forecasts, with temperature anomaly maps using the ECMWF weather model displaying areas of deep red and black across the nation, showing where temperatures will climb well above the seasonal average.
21 Counties to Hit 30C or More
Maximum possible temperature maps indicate that as many as 21 counties could witness the mercury climb to 30C or above on Monday. These counties include Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, Oxfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Surrey, Berkshire, and Hampshire.
British Red Cross Issues Heatwave Warning
The British Red Cross has released advice to help people stay safe during the forthcoming heatwave. Dafydd Beech, National Community Education Manager at the British Red Cross, said: "As we come into the summer months, warm weather gives us a chance to get out a bit more and enjoy ourselves. It's important to take care while you have fun with friends and family to avoid becoming dehydrated, getting sunburn, or even heat stroke. Getting into the habit of taking steps whenever temperatures rise can really help. It can be simple things like wearing sunscreen, drinking plenty of fluids, or ensuring you take breaks from the sun. Building these habits early means people are better prepared if hotter weather lasts longer."
