London and large parts of southern England are heading into what could become the first major heatwave of 2026, with temperatures forecast to climb as high as 29C across the Bank Holiday weekend.After days of chilly winds, heavy rain and thunderstorms, forecasters say the weather is about to flip dramatically. The warm spell is expected to begin on Friday and continue through Monday, bringing sunshine, dry conditions and some of the hottest temperatures of the year so far.The sudden rise means parts of the UK could end up hotter than famous Mediterranean destinations including Athens, Ibiza and even parts of Greece and Spain during the holiday weekend.
London heatwave across this weekend
According to the Met Office, temperatures across London and southeast England are expected to stay between 27C and 29C from Friday through Bank Holiday Monday. In meteorological terms, this would qualify as a heatwave for London if temperatures remain above the city’s official threshold of 28C for three consecutive days.The warmest conditions are expected across London, Kent, Essex, Cambridgeshire and parts of East Anglia. Some inland locations could even briefly touch 30C, making it the hottest spell of the year so far.Forecasters say the heat is driven by high pressure building from the south after a week dominated by Arctic air, rain and unsettled weather. That change is expected to bring lighter winds, clearer skies and long hours of sunshine across much of England and Wales.The Met Office also noted that while southern and eastern England will enjoy the best of the sunshine, northern and western regions could still see occasional cloud and isolated showers.
UK turns hotter than Greece
Weather experts say Britain could temporarily become warmer than parts of southern Europe during the Bank Holiday getaway.Forecasts suggest Athens may sit around 25C while London and parts of southeast England approach 28C to 29C. Ibiza and Barcelona are also expected to remain cooler than parts of Britain during the peak of the warm spell.The timing of the heatwave is likely to bring packed parks, busy beaches and crowded beer gardens across the capital. Tourism operators, seaside resorts and hospitality businesses are also expected to benefit from the sudden burst of summer weather after an unusually cold and wet start to May.Social media reactions have already begun pouring in, with many Londoners celebrating the return of sunshine while others complained about sleepless nights, overheated flats and crowded Tube journeys. One viral Reddit discussion described the upcoming weekend as “sunny bank holiday vibes unmatched,” while another joked that British people had gone “from turning the heating on to 30C in May.”
Authorities issue alert
The warmer weather has also prompted health officials to issue heat-health alerts across several parts of England ahead of the weekend. The UK Health Security Agency warned that rising temperatures could affect elderly people, young children and those with existing health conditions.Experts are advising residents to stay hydrated, avoid direct afternoon sun where possible and check on vulnerable relatives or neighbours during the hottest parts of the day.Even though the weather is expected to feel distinctly summery, forecasters caution that May conditions in Britain can still change quickly. The Met Office has warned there remains a small possibility of isolated thunderstorms developing later in the weekend, particularly in western areas.Still, for millions planning outdoor events, barbecues, staycations or trips to the coast, this could become one of the warmest and sunniest May Bank Holiday weekends seen in years.
Could this become the UK’s warmest Sunday?
Historical Met Office data shows the warmest May Bank Holiday weekend temperature ever recorded in the UK was 28.7C, measured in Northolt, west London, in 2018. Forecasters say this weekend’s temperatures may come close to those levels, with some models even hinting at isolated 30C highs.If temperatures exceed 29.4C, it would become the hottest May day recorded in Britain since 2012.For now, meteorologists say confidence is growing that much of southern Britain will experience several consecutive days of unusually warm late-spring weather, a dramatic turnaround after many parts of the country shivered through below-average temperatures only days ago.
