Temperatures across the UK are expected to fall slightly after a record-breaking spell of May heat, with thundery showers forecast in several regions. The Met Office said conditions would remain warm in parts of the country, though fresher air is expected to arrive over the weekend.
The change follows exceptionally high temperatures earlier this week, when 35.1C was recorded at Kew Gardens in west London. Authorities have also continued to warn about the impact of the heatwave, as water shortages and a series of deaths linked to open water swimming were reported across England and Wales.
The Met Office said London could still reach 31C on Thursday, while temperatures in the Midlands and North West were expected to peak at around 28C. Forecasters added that another “tropical night”, where temperatures stay above 20C overnight, was unlikely.
According to the Met Office, Thursday would begin warm, with showers “possibly thundery” moving northwards before clearing northern England. Sunshine was also expected to become hazier in western areas later in the day.
Cooler Conditions Expected after Record-Breaking Temperatures
The recent heatwave brought some of the highest May temperatures ever recorded in the UK. According to the Met Office, the 35.1C observed at Kew Gardens on Tuesday marked a significant peak during the unusually hot spell.
Forecasts for Friday through to Sunday indicate that much of the country will remain dry at first, with sunny intervals and continued warm weather, particularly in southern England. A band of rain is then expected to spread eastwards during the weekend, bringing fresher conditions and the possibility of showers.
The heat also placed pressure on public services and infrastructure. In Kent, thousands of residents were urged to limit water use after demand surged during the hot weather. South West Water said around 18,000 customers experienced supply issues linked to low reservoir levels.
Matthew Dean, head of operations control at South West Water, said some customers could face intermittent supply until reservoirs recovered. He said residents had been advised to store water for essential needs while supplies remained available. The company also established bottled water collection stations and continued to monitor the situation, according to statements reported on Thursday.
Open Water Incidents Raise Safety Concerns during Hot Weather
Emergency services across several regions responded to multiple incidents involving people entering lakes, rivers and coastal waters during the warm conditions. Police forces confirmed a number of deaths involving children, teenagers and adults over recent days.
According to NHS England, visits to its online heatstroke advice page rose sharply during the bank holiday weekend. The service recorded 20,092 visits on Monday alone, compared with 488 on the previous Monday. Across the full weekend, the page received 36,724 visits.
Among the incidents reported was the death of 15-year-old Declan Sawyer, who got into difficulty at Swanholme Lakes in Lincoln on Sunday. A 13-year-old boy, understood to be Reco Puttock, also died after entering water near Halifax in West Yorkshire on Monday.
Police in Cheshire confirmed on Wednesday that the body of a 17-year-old boy had been recovered from Pickmere Lake near Northwich. Separate searches in Hampshire, Lancashire and South Yorkshire also resulted in bodies being found following reports of missing swimmers.
In Cornwall, Devon and Cornwall Police said a man in his 60s died from cardiac arrest after entering the sea to help two relatives who were in difficulty near Padstow. Authorities in Wales also confirmed the death of a 72-year-old woman at West Angle Bay beach in Pembrokeshire on Sunday afternoon.
