UK records hottest day of year as forecasters warn of more extreme heat | UK weather

The UK recorded its hottest day of the year so far, with temperatures reaching 30.5C in Kent, as forecasters warned more extreme heat could follow over the bank holiday weekend.

The temperature in Frittenden also marked the first time since 2012 that the UK reached 30C in May, according to the Met Office.

Forecasters expect the warm weather to continue, with the UK likely to experience its hottest May day on record on Monday. Temperatures could reach 33°C in the south of England and the Midlands.

They are expected to reach 31°C on Sunday afternoon in the south and around 26°C in the north, the Met Office said.

The current May temperature record is 32.8°C, recorded at Camden Square, north London, in 1922, and at 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 Manchester on Sunday.

Greg Dewhurst, senior meteorologist at the Met Office, told the Press Association: “High pressure will dominate throughout the bank holiday weekend.

“Every day there is lots of very hot sunshine in England and Wales.

“Scotland and Northern Ireland will experience more cloud at times, with some showers in northwest Scotland.”

The UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) has issued orange heat health alerts for the East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London and the South East.

The alerts will remain in effect until 5 p.m. Wednesday and will replace the less severe yellow alerts previously issued.

The alerts mean there is likely to be “an increase in deaths, particularly among people aged 65 and over or with health conditions” and increased demand for 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 the Humber and the south west.