The UK is set to experience a 'very warm' heatwave, with the exact start date now confirmed. According to the Met Office, the cool and unsettled weather that has dominated recent days will be replaced by increasingly warm conditions from Friday, May 22, just in time for the Bank Holiday weekend.
Temperature Forecast
The three-day weekend is expected to see highs of 28°C on Friday, marking the beginning of the heatwave. The BBC Weather team has indicated that a 'much warmer few days' will develop this week, with drier conditions likely in southern and eastern areas.
Long-Range Outlook
Netweather TV has predicted that the last week of May will be 'very warm, dry and sunny', before turning cooler and more unsettled into June, though overall rainfall is expected to be low.
Met Office 5-Day Forecast
For Tuesday, May 19, the Met Office forecasts early rain in the east quickly clearing to leave sunshine and frequent showers, some heavy with hail and thunder possible. Wednesday will see showers gradually easing overnight, with some persisting in the west. The outlook for Thursday to Saturday, May 21-23, indicates turning drier, brighter, and warmer through Thursday, with very warm conditions on Friday and Saturday, though some rain or thundery showers may occur.
Impact on Tourism
Eddy Leviten, Executive Director of the Tourism Alliance, highlighted the positive impact of the warmer weather on the tourism sector, which supports 2.4 million jobs across the UK. He noted that a sunny Bank Holiday weekend should boost visitor numbers at attractions, hotels, heritage sites, and coastal resorts, providing a welcome economic lift for towns and cities nationwide.
