London is officially in a heatwave with temperatures predicted to reach 32C later on Sunday.
It’s already reached 31C in the capital, a third consecutive day of 28C or higher - the threshold for a heatwave in the city.
There is also a strong chance of two consecutive “tropical nights” overnight into Monday and Tuesday. This happens when the temperature doesn’t drop below 20C during the night - something extremely rare in May.
Forecasters are warning the heatwave will continue to build into Monday and Tuesday, when temperatures could climb as high as 34C - which would the hottest weather ever experienced in May.
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) amber heat health alerts are in place for London, the South East, the east of England, East Midlands and West Midlands.
The alerts, which will remain in place until 5pm on Wednesday, mean there is likely to be “a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions” and increased demand on all health and social care services, according to the UKHSA website.
Follow the latest updates below...
Key Points
- It's official: we're in a heatwave
- Sunday on track to be another record-breaking day
- What is a tropical night?
- How long will the heatwave last?
- How to sleep in a heatwave: 10 tips to cool down at night
- The seven-second test to check if you should be walking your dog in hot weather
'Pretty historic'
15:54 , Michael Howie
The Met Office says heatwave conditions have now been met in eight parts of England.
They include Heathrow in Greater London, Benson in Oxfordshire, Brooms Barn in Suffolk, High Beech in Essex, Kew Gardens in London, Northolt in London, Santon Downham in Suffolk and Writtle in Essex.
Santon Downham was the first location to meet the criteria at around 11.30am and its heatwave threshold is 27C for three consecutive days.
It was closely followed by Heathrow at around 11.50am, whose criteria is three consecutive days at 28C. Temperatures in that area have since climbed further to 31C.
The Met Office is forecasting 34C on Monday and Tuesday. The current temperature record for May is 32.8C, which was recorded in London in 1922.
Speaking to the Press Association, a Met Office spokesperson said: “We rarely see temperatures above 35C, even in the summer months, so to see temperatures getting close to 35 in May is, as I say, pretty historic.”
31C.. and rising?
15:39 , Michael Howie
A high of 31C has now been recorded in London.
The peak was recorded by the Met Office at Heathrow at 3pm.
It's official... we're in a heatwave
14:38 , Michael Howie
A heatwave in London is officially defined as at least three consecutive days with temperatures of at least 28C.
We’ve now reached that point, with 29C recorded in the capital earlier this afternoon.
It comes after a high of 28.4C was reached at Heathrow on Friday, while Saturday also peaked at 28C.
Very warm with strong sunshine for most this afternoon and feeling hot in the southeast with just a light breeze ☀️🌡️
— Met Office (@metoffice) May 24, 2026
Slightly fresher in some coastal regions with sea breezes developing 📉
Cloudier, breezier and damper in northwest Scotland with occasional rain 🌧️ pic.twitter.com/CvvjP7tgzq
First tropical night of the year?
12:42 , Michael Howie
London could be facing its first “tropical night” of the season tonight.
Tropical nights occur when the temperature doesn’t drop below 20C overnight.
The Met Office is currently predicting that the temperature will only drop to 20C around 6am on Monday morning.
And Monday night looks set to be even warmer with temperatures no lower than 22C predicted.
Might be wise to to nip to the hardware store to buy a fan or two?
Dog takes a dip
12:28 , Michael Howie
This dog couldn’t resist the chance to splash around in the fountains at Battersea Park.
Pet owners can take a seven-second test to check if they should be walking their dog in the hot weather, writes Nicholas Cecil.
26C at midday
12:20 , Michael Howie
Temperatures have already reached 26C in London, according to the Met Office.
The high was recorded at midday and according to forecasters it’s only going to get hotter, with a high of 31C or 32C expected between 5pm and 6pm.
Holidaymakers face hours-long queues at Dover
09:04 , Megan Howe
Holidaymakers trying to get to Europe via the Port of Dover faced hours-long queues on Saturday.
In a bid to ease the waits, the French authorities suspended extra EU border checks under the new entry/exit system (EES).
By late afternoon, the port said the traffic was “free flowing” on its “peak day of the May half-term getaway weekend”.
Dog walkers warning as temperatures continue to rise
08:10 , Megan Howe
The British Vetinary Association has issued urgent advice to dog owners as temperatures continue to rise this Bank Holiday Weekend.
Highs of 32C are expected in London today, climbing to 34C on Monday, which could make it the hottest May day on record.
British Veterinary Association President Dr Rob Williams MRCVS said: “While many of us will be looking forward to finally enjoying a bit of sunny weather this Bank Holiday weekend and in the coming week, our pets will need extra care to be safe from heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses.
"Make sure all pets have access to fresh drinking water, good ventilation and shade from direct sunlight at all times."
TfL passengers advised to carry water over the bank holiday weekend
07:04 , Megan Howe
Transport for London (TfL) has advised people using its services over the bank holiday weekend to carry water with them when they travel as temperatures climb above 30C (86F).
London is forecast to see its hottest May day on record on Monday, with temperatures predicted to hit 34C.
A TfL spokesperson said: "Please look out for each other while travelling."
In pictures: Beachgoers bask in 30C heat on hottest day of the year
06:58 , Megan Howe
Saturday was confirmed as the hottest day of the year so far, with temperatures reaching 30.3C in Kent.
Crowds of people were seen enjoying the warm weather in Folkestone.
Sunday on track to be another record breaking day
06:30 , Megan Howe
Londoners woke to another scorching day this morning, with temperatures already hovering around 15C in some parts of the capital by 6.30am.
It comes after the UK saw its hottest day of the year so far on Saturday, the Met Office confirmed.
The village of Frittenden, in Kent, hit 30.3C on Saturday and the forecasting body said temperatures are still rising.
And it looks like Sunday could be another record-breaking day.
Stay tuned for the latest heatwave updates.
30.3C recorded on hottest day of year
Saturday 23 May 2026 18:01 , Michael Howie
The UK has seen the hottest day of the year so far, the Met Office has confirmed.
The village of Frittenden, in Kent, hit 30.3C on Saturday and the forecasting body said temperatures are still rising.
Before now, Friday had seen the year’s warmest temperatures when highs of 28.4C were measured in Heathrow, Cambridge and Cranwell in Lincolnshire.
'28° in the UK is a heatwave. Seriously?' says Kevin Pietersen
Saturday 23 May 2026 17:46 , Nicholas Cecil
Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen has never been shy of straight talking.
He posted on X: "28° in the UK is a heatwave. Seriously?"
“Shut up, enjoy it and get on with it!"
The Met Office defines a heatwave as at least three consecutive days with daily maximum temperatures exceeding a county-specific threshold, which for London is currently 28C.
Pietersen, one of England's most talented batsmen, was at times not known for keeping his cool.
But his stats speak for themselves.
He scored 8,181 runs at an average of 47 in 104 Tests.
Cut back on alcohol in hot weather, say NHS health chiefs
Saturday 23 May 2026 17:01 , Nicholas Cecil
NHS bosses are warning people to reduce alcohol consumption in the hot weather.
The health service issued a series of tips as temperatures rise.
They include:
* Avoid alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks
* Have cold food and cold drinks to avoid dehydration
* Have a cool shower or put cool water on your skin or clothes
* Keep out of the heat if you can
* If you have to go outside, stay in the shade especially between 11am and 3pm
* Wear sunscreen, a hat and light clothes, and avoid exercise or activity that makes you hotter
Other advice to keep homes cool includes closing windows during the day and opening them at night when the temperature outside has gone down.
Seven second test on whether you should be walking your dog in a heatwave
Saturday 23 May 2026 15:54 , Nicholas Cecil
Vets are warning dog owners to take special care of their pets as temperatures soar.
They have also explained a simple seven second test on whether people should be walking their dogs in hot temperatures.
“On extremely hot days, dogs will benefit from skipping a walk completely as evenings and early mornings are still hot enough to trigger heatstroke,” said Dr Rhian Littlehales, clinical governance director at Medivet & Partners.
As a simple test, she added: “If you’re not sure if the pavements are too hot, place the back of your hand on the ground for seven seconds,” she said.
“If you struggle to hold it down, it’s too hot to walk your dog.”
The vet group also outlined a series of signs that dogs may be suffering from heatstroke.
They include excessive panting, excessive thirst, very red gums, rapid heart rate, lethargy, vomiting or diarrhoea, as well as staggering, weakness or collapsing.
Fire near track on key London rail route hits services
Saturday 23 May 2026 15:26 , Nicholas Cecil
Rail chiefs have warned that services through Woking, Surrey, a key hub on the network, may be cancelled, delayed or revised due to a fire near the tracks.
They stressed that the disruption could last until 6pm on Saturday.
Earlier in the day, South Western Railway had said that a fire near the track at Camberley had led to all lines being blocked.
Trains faced being cancelled, delayed or revised because of the blaze.
The London Fire Brigade has warned of the risk of wildfires as temperatures soar.
The fire chiefs stressed that a warm and wet winter, which had encouraged grass and plant growth, followed by a particularly dry April, had increased the risk of wildfires.
Holiday nightmare at Dover with new border checks
Saturday 23 May 2026 14:15 , Nicholas Cecil
People heading to France from Britain were hit with delays of nearly five hours at Dover due to new EU border controls.
There were also queues of up to three hours for the Eurotunnel at Folkestone.
Eurostar services at St Pancras International were not reported to have been impacted by the new border checks.
The situation at Dover became so bad that the French authorities agreed to ease frontier controls.
The delays were caused by the new EES border check system which involves people having their fingerprints registered and photograph taken.
Key French technology for the new system has not yet been fully implemented at Dover.
'Good chance' May temperature record will be broken
Saturday 23 May 2026 12:46 , Michael Howie
Nick Finnis, a forecaster for Netweather, reckons there’s a “good chance” the May temperature record of 32.8C, which was set in 1922 and 1944, will be broken in the coming days. .
Good chance the May max temp record of 32.8C set in 1922 & 1944 could go Mon or Tues, looking at EC & UKV forecast of 33C in the SE. Could squeeze a tropical night (20C+) in London too Mon night. Cooling off on Weds, as the wind turns northeasterly with long fetch off North Sea. pic.twitter.com/yambM6rGl0
— Nick's Weather Eye (@NickJF75) May 23, 2026
Check on fellow Londoners who may be struggling in the heat, urges Sir Sadiq Khan
Saturday 23 May 2026 12:39 , Nicholas Cecil
Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has shared a message on X calling on Londoners to keep an eye on other people who may be heavily impacted by the heatwave.
The @UKHSA has issued an Amber heat-health alert for London from Friday to Wednesday. Please stay safe during the hot weather.
— Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (@MayorofLondon) May 22, 2026
Not everyone copes well in the heat, so check in on older neighbours, friends and family, young children and anyone who may find it difficult to manage. pic.twitter.com/Ktm2sj83LZ
Tourists swelter in heat at Buckingham Palace
Saturday 23 May 2026 12:01 , Michael Howie
Pictures are coming in of tourists enjoying the gorgeous weather at Buckingham Palace - where the temperature is expected to reach 25C in the next hour.
Mercury reaches 24C at 11am
Saturday 23 May 2026 11:32 , Michael Howie
It’s certainly hotting up. The temperature reached 24C at 11am in London, according to the Met Office.
Perfect morning for a walk in the park
Saturday 23 May 2026 10:57 , Michael Howie
Londoners are sharing pictures and video from their local parks as the hot weather draws thousands into the great outdoors.
Fresh air bhi jaroori hai & Morning walk 🚶 bhi jaroori hai .. beautiful weather today (London 🇬🇧 ) beautiful park near my home 🏠 bhakto ye dekho no pollution no car horne kitni Santi hai no crowds ….beautiful summers flowers 🌺 pic.twitter.com/Y0zHO3UwUr
— Ashifkhan🇬🇧 (@Ashifkhan0o) May 23, 2026
Holland Park, London, May 2026 #HollandPark #London #Thismorning pic.twitter.com/VPPWEGfdbh
— James Montgomery (@monty772011) May 23, 2026
London fire chiefs issue warning about risk of drowning
Saturday 23 May 2026 10:51 , Nicholas Cecil
London Fire Brigade is calling for people to be “cautious” when considering cooling down in water as temperatures rise over the Bank Holiday weekend.
It highlighted that 103 people have drowned accidentally in the capital in the past five years.
LFB Assistant Commissioner McCourt said: “We know that the warmer weather can tempt people to cool off in rivers, reservoirs and lakes, but even in hot weather most inland water in London remains very cold, and can be below 16°C.
“This can cause cold water shock and lead to drowning.
“Despite a calm surface, open water can have strong currents, hidden debris, slippery edges, and sudden drops in depth - all of which can be fatal.”
He added: “If you are planning to swim outdoors, only do so in designated areas, and ensure that lifeguards and safety equipment are present.
“If you see someone else in difficulty, don’t enter the water yourself. Call 999 and try to throw them something that floats.”
London Fire Brigade figures show that 40 per cent of water-related incidents happen between May and August.
Firefighters in the capital have attended more than 1,500 water-related incidents in the last five years.
London Zoo animals chill with ice lollies
Saturday 23 May 2026 09:16 , Michael Howie
While a heatwave can be tough for us humans, it can be a lot harder for our furry animal friends.
Thankfully, staff at London Zoo have been providing ice lollies to help its residents to beat the heat.
You can read Standard writer Niva Yadav’s low-down on the cool-down at the top London attraction here.
-London-Zoo.jpg)
-ZSL-London-Zoo.jpg)
20C and rising....
Saturday 23 May 2026 09:00 , Michael Howie
It’s already hit 20C in London, according to the Met Office.
The temperature was recorded in parts of the capital at 7am and 8am this morning.
Londoners can expect it to get about one centigrade hotter every hour until a peak of around 30C in the late afternoon.
May heatwave predicted to reach record 34C peak
Saturday 23 May 2026 08:23 , Michael Howie
If the forecasters are correct, the heatwave building over London and other parts of the UK will be genuinely historic.
The Met Office is currently predicting maximum temperatures of 33C on Monday and 34C on Tuesday, which would smash the previous UK high for May.
That was 32.8C in May 1922.which was recorded in London’s Camden Square.
Take water on the Tube, says TfL
Saturday 23 May 2026 08:07 , Nicholas Cecil
Transport chiefs are advising people to carry water on the Tube as temperatures are due to rise over the bank holiday weekend.
Carl Eddleston, TfL’s Director of Streets & Network Operations, said: “During periods of hot weather, we are encouraging customers to carry water with them when they travel.
“We have a comprehensive hot weather plan in place to protect the network’s infrastructure with resources on standby to help respond to the impact and to keep services running.
“Please look out for each other while travelling.”
As some Underground lines may be impacted by the heat, he added: “For the latest information on how TfL services are operating, customers should use TfL's real-time travel tools, including status updates, Journey Planner and TfL Go.”
How hot will it be today?
Saturday 23 May 2026 08:04 , Michael Howie
The Met Office is forecasting temperatures will reach as high as 30C in London on Saturday.
To put that into an international context, it is likely to mean the capital will be hotter than the Maldives, which is expected to reach 29C, the Seychelles (28C) and Los Angeles (24C).
A high of 30C would represent the hottest day of the year so far in the UK - surpassing the 2026 high of 28.4C recorded in Heathrow, Cambridge and Cranwell in Lincolnshire on Friday afternoon.
Here's the 4cast for Saturday, plenty more sunshine for many! ☀️ pic.twitter.com/KuWhghdbdz
— Met Office (@metoffice) May 22, 2026
Good morning
Saturday 23 May 2026 07:54 , Michael Howie
As the Spring bank holiday weekend gets into swing this morning, there’s one thing sure to be on almost everyone’s lips: the hot weather.
The Met Office is predicting a five-day heatwave for London and other parts of the country, with temperatures expected to build to 34C on Monday and Tuesday.
That would mark the hottest days in May ever recorded in the UK.
The Standard will bring you the latest weather and bank holiday travel-related news over the next few days - while sharing the best pictures and videos as Londoners make the most of the exceptional weather.
