Temperatures in UK could be hotter than the Seychelles on Saturday

Temperatures in parts of the UK could be higher than the Seychelles on Saturday, after Britons enjoyed the hottest day of the year so far on Friday.

The UK will enjoy another very warm and sunny day on Saturday, with 30C likely to be recorded in the south of England, the Met Office said.

This would be higher than the temperatures forecast in Athens in Greece, Split in Croatia and even Victoria in the Seychelles.

The UK is also forecast to see its hottest May day on record on Monday, with temperatures expected to reach 33C in southern England and the Midlands.

But some areas in the UK may experience cloudier conditions on Saturday, as a cold front could bring some patchy drizzle to north-west Scotland, Northern Ireland and some western coastal regions, the forecaster said.

It comes after temperatures hit 28.4C in Heathrow, Cambridge and Cranwell in Lincolnshire on Friday afternoon, marking the hottest day of the year so far.

The heatwave is expected to continue over the weekend, with 31C expected to be logged on Sunday, the Met Office said.

The current May temperature record is 32.8C, which was logged in Camden Square, north London, in 1922, and in Horsham in West Sussex, Tunbridge Wells in Kent, and Regent’s Park in central London in 1944.

UV levels will also be high across much of the UK over the bank holiday weekend, with a UV index of seven expected in Cardiff and London on Saturday, as well as in Manchester on Sunday – meaning anyone enjoying the outdoors is advised to apply sun cream.

Greg Dewhurst, media adviser and senior operational meteorologist at the Met Office, told the Press Association: “High pressure will dominate through the whole of the Bank Holiday weekend.

“Plenty of very warm sunshine across England and Wales each day.

“Scotland and Northern Ireland will see more cloud at times, with a few showers across north-west Scotland.”

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued amber heat health alerts on Friday morning for the East Midlands, West Midlands, the east of England, London and the South East.

The alerts will remain in place until 5pm on Wednesday and replace less severe yellow alerts which were previously issued.

The alerts mean there is likely to be “a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions” and increased demand on all health and social care services, according to the UKHSA website.

Yellow alerts have been issued for the north-east and north-west of England, Yorkshire and Humber, and the South West.

The less severe alert means significant impacts on health and social care services are possible.

Published: 23/05/2026 by Radio NewsHub