Today, the UK is bracing for scorching temperatures on May 1, which could potentially break a temperature record that has remained unchallenged for over thirty years.
The Met Office has forecasted that Somerset could experience temperatures reaching 26C, while other parts of the country may soar up to 29C, making it the warmest day of the year so far.
Nicola Maxey from the Met Office stated, “As high pressure continues to dominate the UK weather, we will see the temperatures building day on day through the week, with Thursday potentially reaching 29C, or even 30C.”
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However, the high temperatures might start to dip on Friday as the high pressure weakens.
The regional Met Office forecast for today promises a sunny start, with beaming sunshine expected throughout the day. Although some areas might experience scattered showers in the afternoon, the majority of the South West should remain dry, with exceptionally warm conditions.
The UK is set to experience temperatures surpassing some hot European destinations, with Gran Canaria expecting 26C and Malta lagging behind at 23C, six degrees lower than the UK’s outlook.
May 1, 1990, holds the current record for the warmest May Day, with Lossiemouth in Scotland recording a temperature peak of 27.4C. The Met Office suggests that a new record for May temperatures could potentially be set today.
Despite the potential record-breaking temperatures, meteorologists caution against expecting a prolonged heatwave, predicting a cooling trend as the weekend approaches.
Deputy Chief Meteorologist Michael Silverstone stated, “By Friday, the heat will start to ease, though parts of the south and southeast may still reach 27°C or 28°C. The weekend will bring cooler conditions, with more average temperatures for all parts by Sunday.”
The Met Office defines a heatwave as “three consecutive days with daily maximum temperatures meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature threshold,” with specific thresholds varying across the country.