An amber heat health alert, with a warning that deaths are likely to rise, has been issued as the UK prepares for a scorcher of a bank holiday weekend.
Temperatures are expected to soar to 33C on Monday and Tuesday in some parts of the country, with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issuing amber warnings across London, the South East, the East and the Midlands starting from 2pm on Friday, and yellow alerts across the rest of England.
The warnings mean there is likely to be a “significant” impact on health and social services, and a rise in deaths, with alerts in place until 5pm on 27 May.
Met Office deputy chief forecaster Steve Kocher, said: “Temperatures will climb through the weekend, especially in the south, where 30C is likely to be recorded on Saturday and 32C on Sunday. Temperatures are forecast to peak on Monday when we could see 33C recorded in southern England and the Midlands.”
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The unseasonably warm weather means England is likely to experience a heatwave, as temperatures are forecast to hit at least 28C for five consecutive days.
However, the Met Office is predicting some rain as the warmer weather brings humidity, particularly in the north of England and Scotland.
Forcasters say the weather will turn increasingly warm and humid on Friday. Temperatures are expected to reach 28C in Greater London and Cambridgeshire, and around 25C across large swathes of England.
People in the south east of England can expect strong sunshine, while conditions are expected to be cloudier in the north.
As we move into the bank holiday weekend, much of the country are set to see the sun as temperatures remain warm. Forecasters predict highs of 29C in the south east of England, with the mercury climbing to between 20C and 25C across the rest of England.
The pleasant weather is expected to continue on Sunday, with temperature soaring to 31C in Greater London and around 26C elsewhere in the south east. Highs of between 21C and 27C are forecast across the rest of the UK, with clear sunshine set to last for the day for most.
Bank holiday Monday will bring scorching conditions for much of England with the possibility that temperatures records for May could be broken.
Previously, it was forecast that temperatures would start to come down on Tuesday, but the 33C highs on Monday are now expected to continue.
Mr Kocher said: “It is likely that the May and Spring UK temperature records will be broken over the bank holiday weekend, with forecast temperatures surpassing the existing record of 32.8C. As well as it being hot, there will be lots of dry and sunny weather for much of the UK.
“There will however be more cloud and some showers in Northern Ireland and western Scotland through the weekend. With relatively low sea surface temperatures there is also likely to be some low cloud and sea fog clinging closely to western coasts.”
