Another sizzling weekend is in store for the UK as temperatures continue to heat up in a “truly historic spell of May weather,” the Met Office said.
This week, temperatures shattered records as Kew Gardens reached 35.1°C on Monday, exceeding its previous station record of 29.3°C and the previous UK May record of 32.8°C.
Counties including Oxfordshire, Surrey, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire all saw stations record new maximum records well into the low and mid-30s. In total, 163 stations broke their May maximum temperature records, the Met Office said.
Saturday will continue to deliver sunshine as temperatures are set to climb as high as 29C, with plenty of sunshine expected across England and Wales.
About this week’s heatwave, the Met Office said: “What makes this event particularly noteworthy is the combination of very high daytime temperatures and persistently warm nights.
“Typically in Spring, even during warm spells, overnight temperatures fall sufficiently to provide some relief. In this case, that cooling was limited across many parts of the UK.”
The story is slightly different for Northern Ireland and western Scotland as the weekend will begin with “a much wetter spell”, Met Office meteorologist, Aiden McGiven, said.
But temperatures will still be mild as the mercury simmers in the late teens, with highs of 18-20C across many parts of the two regions.
Mr McGiven said: “Sunday will be notably different for England and Wales, with showers across Wales, northern and western England.
“It will be driest towards the southeast, with temperatures reaching the low 20s. Scotland and Northern Ireland will not be as wet as Saturday, but changeable with a keen breeze, a lot of cloud and some showery rain.”
This more changeable pattern is likely to continue into next week, with further spells of rain and showers interrupted with brighter intervals, with temperatures closer to average.
While the warm weather continues, organisations have urged swimmers to be careful in open water, after 11 deaths in recent days.
Ashley Jones, Head of Water Safety & Education at Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), said: “It’s important people don’t underestimate the risks associated with entering open water. Even during a heatwave, water will remain dangerously cold, and cold water shock is a very real danger. Sudden immersion can cause an involuntary gasp, rapid breathing and panic, which can quickly lead to a loss of control in the water - even for strong swimmers.
"We’re urging the public to choose lifeguarded locations wherever possible, where safety measures and supervision are in place.
Met Office forecast
Tonight:
Rain clearing to leave a dry evening and night, with clear spells. Some fog developing during the early hours in the southwest. Rain arriving into the far northwest towards dawn.
Saturday:
Rain, heavy at times, will move eastwards across Scotland and Northern Ireland, moving across England and Wales during the evening and overnight. Ahead of this, plenty of warm sunny spells.
Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:
Fresher for all on Sunday with a mixture of sunny spells and showers. Unsettled on Monday and Tuesday with heavy showers, longer spells of rain and possible brisk winds too.
Read MoreTeenage boy is 11th person to die in open water during record-breaking UK heatwave
Thunderstorm and heavy rain warning issued by Met Office for England & Wales tonight
People in Kent told to use water for ‘essential purposes’ only amid heatwave
London ambulance plea after heatwave sparks busiest day since pandemic
Highest daily minimum temperature broken for third night in a row, say Met Office
When will the heatwave end? UK swelters in record temperatures
