The UK is set to experience its first 30C heatwave of the year in the coming days, with the Bank Holiday weekend tipped to be stifling. This weather phenomenon has not been seen since August 2025, marking a nine-month gap since the last occurrence.
Forecast models predict high temperatures
According to projections from the ECMWF model and GFS system, both used by the Met Desk and WX Charts, temperatures could reach or exceed 30C for the first time since August last year. The last such event occurred in August 2025, when a late-summer heatwave affected parts of England and Wales, driven by high pressure and a southerly airflow.
During that heatwave, central and southern England saw temperatures surpassing 30C, peaking in the mid-30s in London. Summer 2025 was officially the warmest on record for the UK, with a mean temperature of 16.10C, beating the previous record set in 2018.
Bank Holiday weekend outlook
Netweather TV predicts: "For England and Wales, there could be glorious sunshine and it will feel very warm. Temperatures will range from the high teens and the 20s Celsius, potentially up to 28C. This heat will last into the evening with a more humid feel to the air."
The forecaster adds: "That clammy warmth should be a signal that there is a threat of thunderstorms. There will be the heat, humidity in the air and instability so later in the day or overnight, there is the risk of heavy rain and thunderstorms with the threat lasting into Saturday. There is plenty of uncertainty around quite where and when but the risk is there."
Midweek weather details
The BBC Weather team reports that tonight will be mostly cloudy with showers continuing to drift eastwards, but they should become increasingly scattered and light through the night. Remaining windy for most. The BBC's forecast for Wednesday, May 20, adds: "Tomorrow looks to see variable cloud and scattered showers, these particularly in the north and west. Showers may be locally heavy and thundery in north-east Scotland. Brisk westerly winds for most."
