UK Weather Forecast Heatwave – End Date and Health Alerts

The UK is experiencing an exceptional late-May heatwave, with the Met Office forecasting 35°C in London and warning that the extreme heat will persist through the week before a noticeable breakdown arrives over the weekend. Health alerts have been issued across multiple regions as temperatures climb well above average for this time of year.

A high-pressure system sitting over the country is drawing warm air from the continent, pushing temperatures into the low thirties across much of England and parts of Wales. The Met Office has described the spell as “an exceptional spell of warmth for May,” noting that heatwave thresholds have already been reached in several areas and are expected to spread further.

Planning the week ahead, assessing the risks, or simply trying to find out when the heat will break? The official forecasts, health guidance, and location-specific details are gathered here.

When will the UK heatwave end?

This is the most pressing question for many. According to the Met Office, the heat will begin to ease later in the week, with a more obvious breakdown over the weekend as a band of rain spreads eastwards and fresher, showery air moves in from the west. The extreme heat is not expected to persist beyond the early part of next week.

• The heatwave is fueled by a high-pressure system sitting over the UK, drawing warm air from the continent.
• Temperatures are expected to peak mid-week, with a slow decline towards the weekend.
• Heat health alerts have been issued for multiple regions; vulnerable populations should take precautions.
• The Met Office is the official source for forecasts, while BBC Weather provides accessible updates.
• Interactive maps from the Met Office and BBC show real-time temperature gradients across the country.
• A yellow thunderstorm warning has been issued for parts of England as the hot air destabilizes later in the week.
• Northern areas, including Scotland, remain significantly cooler and less affected by the peak heat.

What are the official forecasts for the UK heatwave?

Two main sources provide the most widely used forecasts: the Met Office, as the UK’s official weather authority, and BBC Weather, which packages Met Office data into accessible formats for the general public. Both show broadly the same picture, though the Met Office offers more detail for specialists and those needing raw data.

Met Office forecast: the authoritative view

The Met Office has stated that a peak of 35°C is again expected in London, the Home Counties and Cambridgeshire. Its national forecast says the weather stays very warm or hot through Thursday and Friday, then a band of rain gradually spreads east over the weekend, bringing fresher and possibly showery conditions. The agency also warned of scattered showers and thunderstorms overnight and into Thursday across England and Wales.

BBC Weather forecast: accessible and widely used

BBC Weather draws on Met Office data and presents it through its website, app, and broadcasts. While it does not issue independent forecasts for this heatwave, it serves as the primary source of weather information for a large portion of the UK public. Its interactive maps and location-specific pages reflect the same underlying data as the Met Office.

Forecast confidence and limitations

The Met Office reports high confidence in the forecast for the next three days, with confidence dropping to moderate for the seven-to-fourteen-day outlook. The exact timing of the heatwave breakdown remains uncertain beyond five days, though the direction of travel—towards cooler, showery conditions—is well established.

Broader context on why heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense is available in this explainer on What Is Global Warming – Definition, Causes, Effects Explained.

What is the heatwave forecast for specific cities like London and Glasgow?

London: at the centre of the heatwave

London is experiencing the highest temperatures in the country. The Met Office London forecast page shows a maximum of 35°C, and a reading of 35.1°C at Kew Gardens has provisionally broken the UK May and spring temperature record for a second consecutive day. The capital is expected to remain the hottest location throughout the week, with temperatures only gradually easing from Friday onwards.

Glasgow and Scotland: largely spared the extreme heat

The picture is very different in Scotland. The Met Office says the warmest conditions are concentrated much farther south, while northern areas are fresher and Scotland is less affected by the peak heat. The provided forecasts do not give a Glasgow-specific maximum, but the pattern is clear: the city will experience much milder temperatures than southern England, with no heatwave thresholds expected to be reached.

Other affected regions

Central and western England, along with parts of Wales, have seen heatwave thresholds reached and are expected to remain very warm through the week. The south-east and East Anglia are also experiencing the highest temperatures, while northern England sits in a transitional zone with warm but not extreme conditions.

How can I view the UK heatwave forecast on a map?

The Met Office provides an interactive map on its main website showing temperature, rain, wind, visibility, humidity and UV details for any location in the UK. The London page, for example, gives location-specific breakdowns of all these variables, making it easy to check conditions hour by hour.

BBC Weather also offers an interactive map that displays temperature gradients across the country, updated regularly. Both maps are free to use and work well on mobile devices, allowing users to zoom into their local area for a detailed view.

The Independent’s mapped report also breaks down where temperatures are highest, showing the stark north-south divide in this heatwave. Their report confirms that the warmest conditions are concentrated in southern England, with Scotland and northern England experiencing much fresher weather.

Are there heat health alerts in place for the UK?

Yes. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued amber heat-health alerts for five regions of England and yellow alerts for southwestern and northern England. These warnings indicate an increased risk to vulnerable people—including the elderly, those with pre-existing health conditions, and young children—and potential pressure on health and social care services.

According to The Independent, the alerts were in place until 5pm on 27 May. The UKHSA dashboard provides real-time updates on alert levels throughout the heatwave season, which officially runs from 1 June to 30 September each year.

How the UK prepares for extreme weather events of all kinds is covered in the report on Storm Goretti Snow Birmingham – Key Facts and Impacts.

How long has the heatwave lasted and what comes next?

The heatwave thresholds were first reached from Sunday of the late-May bank holiday period, with temperatures climbing rapidly. The Met Office confirmed a 35°C forecast two days ago, and the heatwave continues today with alerts active across multiple regions. The expected timeline for the coming days is as follows:

1. Sunday (late May) – Heatwave thresholds first reached in parts of the UK.
2. Monday–Tuesday – Temperatures climb further, with 35.1°C recorded at Kew Gardens, breaking the UK May record.
3. Wednesday – Forecast high of 31°C; amber heat health alerts in place until 5pm.
4. Thursday – Forecast high of 30°C; scattered showers and thunderstorms possible as heat destabilises.
5. Friday – Forecast high of 27°C; gradual cooling begins.
6. Saturday – Forecast high of 28°C; band of rain spreads east, bringing fresher conditions.
7. Sunday – More noticeable drop-off in temperatures; showery air from the west.
8. Beyond 5 days – Further cooling expected, though exact timing remains uncertain in longer-range models.

What do we know for certain about the heatwave and what remains unclear?

What is causing this UK heatwave?

The heatwave is being driven by a persistent area of high pressure sitting over the UK, which is blocking cooler Atlantic air from moving in. Instead, warm air is being drawn up from France and Spain, pushing temperatures well above the seasonal average. This setup is typical of late-spring heatwaves in the UK, though the intensity of this event is notable.

In terms of comparison, this heatwave is similar in intensity to the 2022 event, though early warning systems have been improved since then. The combination of Met Office forecasting and UKHSA health alerts represents a more coordinated response than in previous years, with amber and yellow warnings giving the public and health services time to prepare.

The impact is already being felt across multiple sectors. Health services are on alert for increased demand, there is potential for rail buckles and other transport disruptions, and water usage is expected to rise significantly. The thunderstorm risk later in the week adds another layer of complexity, particularly for outdoor events and travel plans.

What are the official sources saying about the heatwave?

The Met Office and UKHSA have both issued public statements about the current heatwave. Their comments provide the most authoritative guidance available.

“A peak of 35°C is again expected in London, the Home Counties and Cambridgeshire.”

Met Office media release

“A series of health alerts have been issued as forecasters warned a heatwave could see temperatures hit 30C.”

Sky News article

“The Heat-health alerting systems core alerting season runs from 1 June to 30 September each year.”

UKHSA dashboard

The most useful resources for monitoring the situation in real time are the Met Office news page on the 35°C forecast and the Sky News coverage of the heatwave and health alerts. For location-specific forecasts, the Met Office London page and the Met Office national forecast provide the most detailed information. For broader weather context, BBC Weather offers accessible maps and summaries, while The Independent’s mapped report shows the geographic variation across the country.

What is the key takeaway from the UK heatwave forecast?

The UK is in the middle of an exceptional late-May heatwave, with temperatures reaching 35°C in London and heat health alerts active across multiple regions. The heat will begin to ease from Friday onwards, with a more noticeable breakdown over the weekend as rain and fresher air arrive from the west. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, check the Met Office and UKHSA websites directly, and take appropriate precautions if you or someone you know is vulnerable to heat.

Frequently asked questions about the UK heatwave