UK Heatwave Declared in Eight Southeast England Locations as Temperatures Hit 32.1C

The UK heatwave was officially declared in eight locations in southeast England after temperatures soared to 32.1C on Sunday, with the Met Office saying Santon Downham was the first location to meet the criteria at around 11.30am on Sunday.

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The Met Office said Heathrow met the threshold at around 11.50pm, with the criteria based on three consecutive days at 28C, and temperatures in that area climbed further to 30C.

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Monday’s temperatures were expected to soar even higher to 34C in Greater London and across the southeast of England, while the Met Office anticipated the hottest May day on record with temperatures set to reach 33C in southern England and the Midlands.

The UK Health Security Agency said the warnings mean there is likely to be a “significant” impact on health and social services, and a rise in deaths.

Met Office deputy chief forecaster Steve Kocher said: “It is likely that the May and spring UK temperature records will be broken over the Bank Holiday weekend.”

In London, the UK Health Security Agency issued an amber heat health alert for the East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London and the South East, warning of significant impacts on health and care services.

Dr Anya Gopfert, Consultant in Health Protection at UKHSA, urged precautions by saying: “We know that even moderate heat can lead to serious health problems, especially for older people.”

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The alert runs from 2pm on Friday until 5pm next Wednesday, replacing previous yellow warnings, and the agency said an amber alert indicates a likely rise in deaths, particularly among people aged 65 and over or those with existing health conditions.

The London Fire Brigade raised the alarm about a higher than normal threat of wildfires due to the wet and warm winter that encouraged grass and plants to grow, followed by one of the driest Aprils on record.

Paul McCourt, LFB Assistant Commissioner, said: “The risk of wildfire is very real.”

As the UK remained in the grips of its first 2026 heatwave, the Met Office issued red ‘very high’ alerts for pollen in parts of the UK over the coming days, alongside amber ‘high’ alerts in six UK areas.

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The Manchester Evening News reported that bank holiday Monday, May 25, was expected to bring the peak of the heat with temperatures possibly reaching as high as 33C in parts of southern and central England, and Greater Manchester forecast highs of 32C on Monday.

Met Office weather maps showed London set to reach as high as 34C, while UK Health Security Agency heat health alerts were issued for the whole of England with yellow alerts in North West, North East, South West and Yorkshire and the Humber and more severe amber alerts in East Midlands, East of England, London, South East and West Midlands.

The Met Office also issued two red ‘very high’ alerts for pollen, with south west England and London and south west England hit with the red warning on Tuesday, May 26.

The Guardian said England, Wales and Northern Ireland recorded their highest temperatures of 2026 on Sunday, and that it was the UK’s hottest May day for at least 79 years, with Kew Gardens recording 32.3C.