Most of England and Wales are bracing for a notably warm Bank Holiday Weekend as temperatures steadily rise, with some parts expected to reach highs around 30°C. According to the Met Office, a high-pressure system over the UK will keep persistent rain offshore, fostering a predominantly dry and settled spell of weather. However, cloud cover may affect perceived temperatures, particularly in eastern regions where it could remain relatively cool on Saturday. By Monday, southern and central England could experience temperatures peaking near 28°C, with Gloucester forecasted to hit 30°C, closely followed by major cities like London, Cardiff, Birmingham, Manchester, Coventry, Oxford, Milton Keynes, Luton, and Telford clocking in at around 29°C.

The latest forecasts from the Met Office highlight this wave of warmth as part of a broader trend of fine, stable conditions encouraged by the positioned high pressure. While some showers are possible, these are likely to be light and fleeting, mainly affecting parts of Northern Ireland and northern England on Saturday and western Scotland on Sunday. The deputy chief meteorologist, Tony Wisson, notes that a transition in weather could begin by midweek as Ex-Hurricane Erin, now weakened to a broad low-pressure system, moves eastwards towards the UK. This shift is expected to bring wetter, windier conditions starting Tuesday, displacing the current settled pattern.

Reports from various UK cities underscore the scale of the warming trend as many locations prepare for some of the hottest temperatures of the year so far. London, Cambridge, Norwich, and Luton are among several places where temperatures are forecasted to reach or exceed 31°C, signalling a significant heatwave for this time of year. This aligns with earlier observations of soaring temperatures that saw Monday’s highs reach 23.4°C, as recorded in Cardiff, marking the warmest day up to that point in the current year.

Further meteorological data offers a comprehensive picture of temperature variations across the UK, showing Portsmouth, Southampton, Chichester, Plymouth, and Swansea among the warmest cities based on average daily highs. Meanwhile, a broader list includes Bath, Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, and Chelmsford, all enjoying temperatures above 26°C. Such widespread warm weather is relatively unusual in late spring, reaffirming the influence of the high-pressure system and the advancing warm air from southern Europe.

In summary, the Bank Holiday Weekend is set to be warm and largely dry for much of England and Wales, with substantial heat predicted in key urban centres. However, this settled pattern appears temporary as ex-hurricane Erin approaches, signalling a likely return of rainfall and stronger winds by midweek. Residents and visitors are advised to prepare for the shift, balancing enjoyment of the sunny spell with awareness of the wetter conditions anticipated later in the week.

📌 Reference Map:

Source: Noah Wire Services