UK Weather: ‘Extraordinary’ heat health alerts to come into place as record May temperature possible

For many parts of England and Wales, the temperature will rise into the mid- to high-20s over the weekend.

Locally in the south Midlands and south-east England, it could hit 30C by Sunday, which would be relatively rare for May.

There is also increasing confidence that the maximum temperature could reach 33C on bank holiday Monday.

This would exceed the current highest recorded May temperature of 32.8C, set in 1944.

This also happened to be on the Late May Bank Holiday.

We’re also expecting many parts of England to go into an official heatwave, during which the temperature exceeds 26-28C – depending on exact location – for three consecutive days.

While it won’t be as hot in Scotland and Northern Ireland, with no heatwave expected, it will still feel warm over the coming days.

Cloudier skies are likely to keep temperatures at around the low 20s at best.

Elsewhere, there’ll be a lot of sunshine – though there is a risk of a heavy shower or even thunderstorm in south-east England on Saturday afternoon.