South east London is set to swelter in record-breaking heat this bank holiday temperatures could soar to 33C.
Forecasters say the “exceptional heat” could make Monday the hottest May day and warmest bank holiday ever recorded in the UK.
The UK experienced its hottest day of the year so far on Saturday, with temperatures reaching 30.5C in Frittenden, Kent — the first time the mercury has passed 30C in May since 2012.
But the heat is expected to intensify further across south east London and the wider South East, with highs of 31C forecast on Sunday before peaking between 33C and 34C on Monday.
If temperatures reach those levels, records could be broken for the hottest May day in the UK and England, currently standing at 32.8C, as well as the hottest bank holiday temperature ever recorded at 33.3C.
Met Office meteorologist Jonathan Vautrey said most areas will enjoy “wall-to-wall blue sunshine” through the bank holiday.
“That extra sunshine once again allowing those temperatures to climb even further and so now we’re expecting to see around 33C in the far south-east of London,” he said.
“If we hit that 33C, maybe even locally close towards 34C, that would bring us our hottest bank holiday day on record, as well as our hottest day in May on record, so it really is quite exceptional heat that is building for the time of year.”
While much of the country will stay dry and sunny, parts of north-west England and Scotland could see rain on Sunday.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued amber heat health alerts for London, the South East, East Midlands, West Midlands and East of England until 5pm on Wednesday.
The alerts warn of likely impacts including a rise in deaths among older people and those with health conditions, alongside increased pressure on health and social care services.
Meanwhile, holidaymakers travelling through the Port of Dover faced lengthy queues on Saturday during the busy half-term getaway weekend.
French authorities temporarily suspended additional EU border checks under the new Entry/Exit System (EES) in an attempt to ease congestion.
By late afternoon, the port said traffic had become “free flowing” on what it described as the peak day of the holiday getaway.
