The Met Office has forecast that temperatures could soar to 33C during the forthcoming Bank Holiday weekend, with an official heatwave now anticipated. The national weather service indicates temperatures will begin climbing on Friday, especially across southern regions, potentially reaching 30C on Saturday, 32C on Sunday, and 33C on Monday.
Record-Breaking Temperatures Expected
"It is likely that the May and Spring UK temperature records will be broken over the Bank Holiday weekend," Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Steve Kocher stated. The existing record stands at 32.8C. This will represent an official heatwave, declared when three consecutive days see temperatures exceed the heatwave threshold, which fluctuates between 28C and 25C across different counties. This weekend will comfortably surpass it.
The Met Office indicates heatwave conditions will probably be achieved in sections of the south-east on Sunday and could subsequently extend across central and western England and into parts of Wales.
Weather Charts Confirm Predictions
Weather charts corroborate the Met Office forecasts. Temperature anomaly charts, utilising the ECMWF weather model, display zones of deep red and black throughout the country, highlighting where temperatures will climb considerably above the seasonal norm. Meanwhile, maximum possible temperature charts suggest as many as 21 counties could witness the mercury climb to 30C or higher on Monday.
Counties Facing 30C or More
The counties expected to reach 30C or more this weekend include: Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, Oxfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Surrey, Berkshire, and Hampshire.
British Red Cross Issues Heatwave Advice
The British Red Cross has released advice to assist the public in keeping safe during the forthcoming heatwave. Dafydd Beech, National Community Education Manager at the British Red Cross, commented: "As we come into the summer months, warm weather gives us a chance to get out a bit more and enjoy ourselves. It's important to take care while you have fun with friends and family to avoid becoming dehydrated, getting sunburn or even heat stroke. Getting into the habit of taking steps whenever temperatures rise can really help. It can be simple things like wearing sunscreen, drinking plenty of fluids or ensuring you take breaks from the sun. Building these habits early means people are better prepared if hotter weather lasts longer."
