UK records hottest day of year as forecasters warn of more extreme heat
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- Met Office recorded a temperature of 30.5 °C in Frittenden, Kent, marking the UK's first 30 °C day in May since 2012.
- Met Office forecast that temperatures could reach 33 °C in southern England and the Midlands over the bank‑holiday weekend, with 31 °C expected in the south on Sunday.
- UK Health Security Agency issued amber heat‑health alerts for the East Midlands, West Midlands, east of England, London and the south‑east, warning of a rise in deaths among those 65+ or with health conditions.
- Greg Dewhurst, senior meteorologist at the Met Office, said high pressure will dominate the weekend, bringing very warm sunshine across England and Wales while Scotland and Northern Ireland see more cloud and occasional showers.
Why it matters: Elderly residents and the NHS face higher mortality risk and increased demand for emergency services as amber alerts trigger heightened health‑care response across southern England.
