BBC Weather

Heathrow seems to have peaked at 28.4C, making it the UK's and England's warmest day of the year so far.

Cardiff reached 25.8C, making it Wales's warmest day of the year so far too.

We will get the final maximal later this evening.

Temperatures could climb into the low 30s for parts of England and Wales over the bank holiday weekend and if they surpass 32.8C, it will be a new record for May.

Image source, Getty Images

Taking a cold dip when the weather is hot sounds appealing - but it can be dangerous.

Plunging into cold water (below 15C) can send your body into shock, making it difficult to breathe and stopping your swimming abilities. Our previous post shows the Met Office expects sea surface temperatures to remain low despite the heat we're currently experiencing.

Meanwhile, strong currents in rivers or the sea can overwhelm even the strongest swimmers. Some safety tips include:

• Stay calm if you enter the water unexpectedly. Relax and follow the RNLI's "float to live" advice. Tilt your head back with your ears submerged, breathe normally, spread your limbs out for stability and gently move your hands and legs if you need to
• Know your limits and the risks
• Go with others and make sure your phone is charged so you can call for help
• Stick to lifeguarded beaches and follow the flags. Red flags mean do not enter the water
• Do not enter the water to save others - throw them a line if you can, and call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard
• If you're doing watersports, wear a floatation device
• Make sure someone always knows your plans - where you are going and what time you'll be back
• If you are walking near the water, keep away from the edge and stick to paths. Seek local advice on tides so you don't get stuck, and avoid walking alone or at night

Despite unseasonably warm weather for this time of year, meteorologists have reminded would-be sea swimmers that the sea will still feel quite cold.

British summers usually see water temperatures of around 15 to 20C - especially towards the end of the season.

But a map from the Met Office, external shows sea temperatures are still fairly cold despite the balmier conditions.

Image source, Met Office

Stav Danaos
BBC Weather

Image source, AFP via Getty Images

A broad dome of unusually hot air has now expanded beyond the Iberian Peninsula and is affecting much of western Europe, with temperatures climbing well above seasonal averages in countries including France, Spain, the United Kingdom, and parts of Germany.

Cities across the region are seeing early-season heat more typical of midsummer. Across northern and western France they've widely seen low to mid 30s. Bilbao in northern Spain has reached 36C.

Concerns have been raised about drought stress, wildfire risk, and pressure on infrastructure.

In contrast, south-eastern Europe has remained comparatively cooler and more unsettled, as troughs of low pressure over the Balkans and eastern Mediterranean continue to bring cloudier conditions, rain, and below-average temperatures to areas such as Greece, Bulgaria, and Romania.

This sharp west–east contrast highlights the uneven atmospheric pattern currently shaping weather across the continent.

Whether you're planning to stay indoors or head outside in the coming days, there are several things you can do to stay safe and cool.

Image source, Getty Images

For people with asthma and lung conditions, symptoms like breathlessness and wheezing can become worse when temperatures rise. Higher pollen levels can also increase the risk of an asthma attack, according to charity Asthma + Lung UK. Keep your inhaler on hand.

It is particularly important to stay cool if you have heart failure as the body works harder in the heat, putting strain on the heart, according to the British Heart Foundation. If you have been told to restrict your fluids to manage it, speak to your GP about other ways of keeping cool.

Those with diabetes may find it more difficult to manage their blood sugar levels in the heat. Charity Diabetes UK suggests checking blood sugar levels more often, if you usually check them yourself. Store any medications like insulin correctly so they stay cool.

Those with kidney disease need to take extra care to maintain their fluid balance. Staying hydrated is important but some patients - such as some dialysis patients - will be on fluid restriction. Charity Kidney Care UK says there is no "one-size-fits-all" advice - speak to your doctor if you are unsure.

People living with dementia may struggle to recognise the signs that they're too hot. The Alzheimer's Society recommends checking in on the elderly and leaving glasses or jugs of water within easy reach to help combat dehydration.

And remember, most medications need to be stored at temperatures below 25C (and some in the fridge).

Simon King
Lead weather presenter, BBC Weather

Looking ahead to this weekend, temperatures are set to soar across most of England and Wales so that by Sunday they will be into the high 20s.

The hottest weather will be across eastern and south-eastern parts of England.

There’ll also be lots of strong sunshine with unusually high UV.

If you’re heading to a beach then coastal areas will be slightly cooler and it’ll continue to be significantly cooler across Scotland and Northern Ireland where there won’t be a heatwave.

However, it will warm up later in the week ahead.

We've just ticked past 15:00 BST and temperatures have continued to climb across parts of the UK.

It's officially the warmest day of the year - that milestone was reached when Heathrow hit 26.9C.

The latest temperature recorded for London is 27C, whereas Belfast and Edinburgh are experiencing cooler weather.

Here's a closer look at the picture across the UK:

London: 27°C

Manchester: 25°C

Cardiff: 23°C

Edinburgh: 19°C

Belfast: 18°C

The sun is out, and so are BBC Weather Watcher's cameras.

From dogs, to statues, to sheep, here's a look at some of your pictures from across England.

Among the photos are some pooches basking in the sunshine - here's a link to our earlier post on keeping them safe in warm weather.

Image source, littleacorns/BBC Weather Watchers

Image source, Sunny Sim/BBC Weather Watchers

Image source, Bettys Hot Spot/BBC Weather Watchers

Image source, Little Leo/BBC Weather Watchers

Image source, Getty Images

As the weather heats up you might find yourself reaching for your sunscreen.

The most prominent number on sunscreen bottles is the sun protection factor or SPF. The larger the number, the greater the protection.

According to the British Skin Foundation,, external the SPF rating tells you how much protection your sunscreen provides from ultraviolet B rays.

For instance, correctly applying sunscreen with an SPF of 30 it means that it would take your skin 30 times longer to go red than if you used none.

Many sunscreen brands also carry a star rating from one to five.

The NHS says, external the star rating measures the amount of ultraviolet A protection, with more stars denoting increased protection. It recommends using sunscreen with at least four stars.

If the letters "UVA" appear inside a circle on the sunscreen bottle, the product meets EU safety standards.

Ideally, your sunscreen should have both a high SPF rating and a high star rating. The NHS recommends that adults use around six to eight teaspoons of sunscreen if they are covering their entire body.

• If you're wondering exactly how often to reapply, then take a look at our news article

Image source, Getty Images

A heatwave can be dangerous for your health.

The NHS warns that during a warmer spell of weather more people than usual get seriously ill or die.

It says the biggest risks are:

• Dehydration - caused by not drinking enough water
• Overheating - which can lead to breathing or heart problems
• Heat exhaustionand heat stroke - we've explained the difference between the two here

Those over the age of 75, especially women, are the most at risk, the NHS says.

Others at risk include those with long-term illnesses, babies and those who find it hard to keep themselves cool, those who work outside and homeless people.

To manage the risks, it advises:

• Staying out of direct sun between 11:00 to 15:00
• Wearing sunscreen, a hat, and light clothing
• Consuming cold food and drink
• Avoiding alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks
• Closing windows during during the day and opening them at night and using an electric fan to circulate the air

Image source, Getty Images

For the latest forecasts on the conditions outside, download the BBC Weather app.

It's easy to do - just follow the relevant link for your device:

• the Android version from Google Play, external
• the iOS version from the App Store, external
• the Amazon version, external

The app is only available to download in the UK.

You can also check out the weather in your area by entering your UK town, city or postcode on the BBC Weather website.

Heat exhaustion happens when your body becomes too hot and struggles to regulate its temperature.

An obvious sign is excessive sweating, as well as feeling very hot and unwell - which is your body's way of warning you to cool down, fast.

Other symptoms include headache, dizziness and cramps, but it is not usually serious as long as you can cool yourself down.

Heat exhaustion can turn into heatstroke, which is a medical emergency. It means your body can no longer manage the heat and your core temperature is rising too high. You should get urgent medical help.

The signs to watch for and quickly act on include not sweating even while feeling too hot, a temperature of 40C or above, a seizure and lack of consciousness.

Mark Poynting
Climate reporter

Image source, SunshineDan/BBC Weather Watchers

It can be easy to forget just how quickly the UK’s climate is changing.

Days exceeding 30C - known as "very hot" days by the Met Office - might feel normal, but they used to be much rarer.

As a reminder, Heathrow reached 26.9C earlier, making it the warmest day of the year so far. Temperatures are forecast to reach up to 33C in parts of the UK over the bank holiday weekend.

During the last decade, the number of these "very hot" days more than trebled compared with the 1961-1990 average, according to the Met Office.

And these temperatures are especially rare in May.

The Met Office says that 30C has been reached in May in only a handful of years since 1900.

And forecasts suggest that the current May record of 32.8C could be beaten over the upcoming bank holiday weekend.

The UK’s weather varies a lot naturally, but this early season heat is consistent with the long-term trend of rising temperatures because of human-caused climate change.

Sean Dilley
BBC News correspondent

Image source, LISA SINNOTT/BBC

As a guide dog handler of 27 years, my heart falls every time I hear the fatigued pants of dogs in heatwave weather.

Animal welfare charity the RSPCA says that dogs are 10 times more likely to suffer heat-related illnesses from exercising in hot weather than from overheating in cars. Both are tremendously bad for your dog.

Canines have a very limited ability to regulate their temperature. They don't sweat like humans - only perspiring a small amount through the pads on their paws.

Heavy panting, difficulty breathing, excessive drooling, lethargy and drowsiness are all key signs that your dog is too hot. In extreme cases, dogs vomit and finally lose consciousness.

If your dog is in trouble, the RSPCA says, external you should move the dog to a shaded and cool area and immediately pour cool, but not very cold, water over the dog, avoiding their head.

For these dogs, a walk by the water has been a key part of the day.

Whether it's by the beach, river or canal these pictures from BBC Weather Watchers show the pooches basking in, or finding shade from, the sun.

Keeping cool is essential for dogs in the warm weather. Remember, start with shorter walks and don't push your dog if they are panting heavily.

In our next post, we'll bring you information from the BBC's Sean Dilley on the RSPCA's guidance on keeping dogs safe in the warm weather.

Image source, Claire and Bella/BBC Weather Watchers

Image source, Helen Earth/BBC Weather Watchers

Image source, littleacorns/BBC Weather Watchers

Simon King
Lead weather presenter, BBC Weather

Image source, Rusty Sam/ BBC Weather Watchers

Heathrow has recorded the warmest temperature of the year so far, but not all parts of the UK are experiencing the warm weather.

While a heatwave is expected in parts of the country this weekend, cloudier skies across Scotland and Northern Ireland mean temperatures will only get between 17 to 22C at best.

This will fall well short of the threshold needed to declare an official heatwave - 25C for three days in a row.

But spare a thought for those in the Northern Isles, Scotland, where it’s even cooler. The maximum temperature today and over the weekend is only going to be 11 or 12 degrees.

Nabiha Ahmed
Live reporter

Image source, PA Media

It's the warmest day of 2026 so far, and temperatures are likely to rise even further throughout today.

In Heathrow, temperatures ticked up to 26.9C, slightly above the previous record of 26.6C in London's Kew Gardens on 8 April.

Here's what you need to know:

Heat warnings

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has upgraded their heat health warnings covering large parts of England.

Amber warnings have been issued in the East and West Midlands, London, East England and South East England - which means the conditions could impact the whole population in these regions, as well as the NHS and likely travel disruption.

Yellow heat warnings are in force in North East England, North West England, Yorkshire and Humber and South West England. A yellow warning indicates adverse weather likely to affect vulnerable groups.

All warnings are in place until Wednesday 27 May at 17:00 BST.

How can I stay cool?

We've put together a handy guide on how to stay cool in the coming days.

There's also some specific advice on how to tackle hot temperatures depending on your plans: whether it be staying at home, travelling on the train, or catching the football this weekend.

The forecast:

Bank holiday Monday could see the UK's hottest day in May ever, as there is increasing confidence that the maximum temperature could reach 33C.

Over the next five days, the country will be hotter and drier than parts of the Mediterranean and North Africa.

And, here's a fuller forecast of the days to come.

Simon King
Lead weather presenter, BBC Weather

It’s getting very warm out there this lunchtime.

With 26.9C just recorded at Heathrow, it is now the warmest day of the year so far.

We’re expecting temperatures to rise even further so we’ll be able to let you know how hot it eventually gets later this afternoon.

Elsewhere across the UK, temperatures have been rising into the twenties.

But with more cloud around the far west of south-west England, west Wales and northern Scotland, temperatures are much lower at 11-14C. Northern Ireland is also cloudy, but seeing slightly higher temperatures.

It is officially the warmest day of the year so far in the UK, the Met Office has confirmed, as temperatures hit 26.9C in Heathrow.

Previously, the warmest day of 2026 was on 8 April, when heat of 26.6C was recorded in London's Kew Gardens.