For once, the notoriously fickle British weather is not a letdown, with the heatwave forecast to last for days.
The weather has made a U-turn from chilly rain last week to temperatures already topping 30°C ahead of the bank holiday.
Today, parts of the UK will be hotter than the tropical island paradise of Seychelles as the warm spell grips most of western and southern Europe.
Friday’s weather gave us a flavor of what’s to come, with London Heathrow Airport clocking 28.4°C, while similar temperatures were reached in Cambridge and Cranwell, Lincolnshire.
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In case you cannot bask in the sun today, there are plenty of opportunities over the coming days as the Met Office predicts a solid wall of sunshine this weekend and well into next week.
How long will the UK heatwave last?
The first heatwave of 2026 is set to last at least until Wednesday.
The coming days are expected to be so hot that the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued an amber heat alert, which is active until Wednesday afternoon.
Exposure to heat could be life-threatening to vulnerable people, and hospitals and clinics might come under pressure in the amber alert area, health officials warned.
Meanwhile, the Met Office is predicting 31°C tomorrow across the South East and London, with the balmy weather carrying on until bank holiday Monday.
How to stay cool in the heatwave
If you can enjoy the weekend by a shaded lake, congratulations.
However, this might not be possible if you’re stuck in London or have to hit the road or travel by train.
Reaching for a sip of water in any weather is not a bad idea, but doctors have recommended one surprising everyday drink in a heatwave.
On the Tube, your best hope is an Underground line with air conditioning, but bringing water along is a top tip for hot-weather London travel.
Metro has this handy guide for heatwave survival 101 shopping essentials, from best handheld fans to cooling pillows.
London is slated for up to 33°C on Monday, followed by 34°C on Tuesday, spelling a sticky return to the office for bleary-eyed commuters.
Tropical nights, when the temperature doesn’t fall below 20°C, are in the pipeline in southern England and London on Sunday and Monday nights.
Greg Dewhurst, a senior operational meteorologist at the Met Office, said: ‘High pressure will dominate through the whole of the Bank Holiday weekend.
‘Plenty of very warm sunshine across England and Wales each day.
‘Scotland and Northern Ireland will see more cloud at times, with a few showers across north-west Scotland.’
The clear sky equals high UV, so topping up on suncream regularly when outside is advised. London, Cardiff and Manchester are set for UV index 7, meaning there’s a moderate risk of harm from unprotected rays.
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