Britons are set to experience temperatures of up to 30C over the bank holiday weekend, with parts of the UK forecast to be hotter than some popular Greek holiday destinations, meteorologists have said.
The Met Office said the country could experience its warmest day of the year so far as a heatwave develops over the coming days.
Forecaster Tom Morgan said there was a 40% chance temperatures could climb to 33C in parts of southern England on Sunday, which could make it the warmest May day on record.
The current May temperature record stands at 32.8C, recorded in Camden Square, London, in 1922.
It's been a cool May - so far🌡️
— Met Office (@metoffice) May 20, 2026
That's set to change quite dramatically over the coming days. A prolonged period of very warm weather is now increasingly likely. Temperatures will rise to well above average for May with the hottest spots possibly exceeding 30 Celsius📈 pic.twitter.com/4PkfcG2n6r
Any temperature above 29.4C will be the warmest May temperature recorded in the UK since 2012, the Met Office said.
Temperatures in the UK are expected to exceed those forecast in Mediterranean hotspots including Mykonos, Rhodes and Santorini over the weekend.
As the heat builds, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued heat health alerts covering much of the Midlands, eastern England and south-east England.
The agency warned of “minor impacts” across health and social care services, including increased demand from vulnerable people, hotter indoor environments and a higher risk of water-related incidents.
Temperatures are expected to reach 28C in parts of England on Friday before climbing above 30C across several areas over the following three days, Mr Morgan said.
Wales could also meet heatwave criteria by Sunday, while parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland are forecast to see temperatures reaching the mid-20s by next week.
Mr Morgan said: “This is a prolonged period of high temperatures.”
A UK heatwave is officially recorded when an area experiences at least three consecutive days with temperatures meeting or exceeding the region’s heatwave threshold.
The warmest day recorded in the UK so far this year was 26.6C at Kew Gardens in south-west London in April.
Deputy chief forecaster Greg Wolverson said: “A very warm period of weather will develop through the weekend and into next week for much of the UK.
“High pressure will be in charge of the UK’s weather over the bank holiday weekend and this should bring fine and settled conditions to most areas.
“The exception will be parts of northwestern Scotland, where it will be cooler and cloudier with some rain at times. There is also a small risk of some thunder in the south late on Friday into Saturday.”
