It’s Bank Hotter-day Monday! UK prepares for the warmest May Day hol ever – but forecasters spot clouds on the horizon with storms due by next weekend
- The Met Office said the Bank Holiday was likely to be the warmest on record since it was introduced in 1978
- Highest temperatures are expected in the South East as hot air comes in from Russia and causes a heatwave
- But showers and strong winds are expected to return next week with a risk of thunderstorms at the weekend
The UK is set for its warmest May Day Bank Holiday ever on a scorching weekend - but Britons will have to make the most of the nice weather before rain and thunderstorms arrive next week.
Temperatures are expected to reach 79F (26C) today and could hit as high as 84F (28C) on Monday, making it the hottest early May holiday since it was introduced in 1978.
The South East can expect the highest temperatures, while Wales and Scotland will also see those in the mid to high 70s.
People swim in Hampstead Heath mixed bathing pond in north London as temperatures hit 80F (27C)
People enjoying the sunshine at the English National Surfing Championships at Watergate Bay, Newquay, today
Adults and children take to the water on their surf boards at Watergate Bay in Newquay this afternoon
People lie on the grass during hot weather in King George Park in Wandsworth on a hot Bank Holiday weekend
A woman sits on a blanket in King George Park in Wandsworth, London, today during the warm Bank Holiday weekend
A woman lies on the grass as she enjoys the hot weather in King George Park in Wandsworth during the Bank Holiday weekend
People are pictured playing on the beach with their children on a warm and sunny day at Barry Island, South Wales, today
Top British surfer Lucy Campbell is seen at Newquay's Watergate Bay as she prepares to compete in the English Nationals
Lucy Campbell takes to the water preparing for the English Nationals on the beach at Newquay's Watergate Bay
Lucy Campbell holds her surf board as she walks along the beach at Newquay's Watergate Bay today
Campbell is seen at Newquay's Watergate Bay on a scorching Bank Holiday weekend which is expected to break records
Bournemouth beach was packed with people in deckchairs and lying on blankets on a warm Bank Holiday weekend
Cambridge University students drinking and partying as they attend the annual Caeserean Party on Jesus Green, Cambridge
Cambridge students dress up and celebrate in a city park as they revel in the sun
Met Office forecaster Mark Wilson said: 'It is likely to be the warmest early May Bank Holiday Monday since the first in 1978, beating the 74.5F (23.6C) record.
'There's also a 30 per cent chance Monday will exceed 83.5F to be the warmest day recorded over this holiday weekend since 1978.
'It's a weekend for suntan lotion, with temperatures 10C above average for this time of the year.'
The heatwave is being caused by hot air arriving from 30C southern Russia, the Met Office said - weeks after 'Beast from the East' cold air from the same region froze Britain.
Daisy Quinn 7, Archie Ellison, 8, Sunny Quinn, 9 and Leyton Krohn, 8, enjoy a the sea at Tynemouth beach in North Tyneside
14-month old Che Richardson has fun building sandcastles on Tynemouth beach in North Tyneside this afternoon
The one-year-old enjoys himself as crowds flock to the seaside to enjoy glorious May Bank Holiday weather
Veron Pimm, accompanied by his canine passenger Bibi, kayaks along the River Thames close to Boulter's Lock in Maidenhead Riverside, Berkshire
People enjoying the sunshine at the English National Surfing Championships, Watergate Bay, Newquay
Competitors ride through Haworth during day four of the Tour de Yorkshire from Halifax to Leeds
Spectators in Haworth during day four of the Tour de Yorkshire from Halifax to Leeds
Tourists enjoy the hot weather by punting on the River Cam in Cambridge today
Several boats full of tourists are pictured making their way down the River Cam on a hot Sunday afternoon
Tourists enjoy the hot weather by punting on the River Cam in Cambridge this afternoon
Two women sit on the grass as they watch tourists pass by on the River Cam in Cambridge today
Tourists enjoy the hot weather by punting on the River Cam in Cambridge this afternoon
The record for the early May Bank Holiday is 74.5F, set in 1999 in Martyr Worthy, Hants, and Worcester and Malden, both Worcs.
Tuesday will remain warm before temperatures ease and showers begin to hit the UK during the week. By Friday some longer spells of rain may arrive into the west, while heavy showers may hit the South East.
The north and west are likely to see strong winds and spells of rain at times during the week, with a risk of thunderstorms in the south over the weekend.
Temperatures may be initially below normal, but will recover to close to average.
A warmer summer is also expected. The Met Office three-month forecast, being briefed to councils, transport chiefs and business leaders, said: 'For May-July, above-average temperatures are more probable than below-average temperatures.
'The probability the UK average temperature for May-July will fall into the warmest of our five categories is 30 per cent. The probability of the coldest of our five categories is between 5 and 10 per cent.'
Fishermen dig for bait in Dublin Bay as the warm weather continues over the Bank Holiday weekend
A man walks his dog at Little Venice in London where the annual Canalway Cavalcade narrowboat festival is taking place
Two women and a dig sit outside on a boat at Little Venice in London amid lovely weather on the Bank Holiday weekend
A group of people in sports gear sit around a table at Little Venice in London during the Bank Holiday weekend
A man stands in the cabin of a boat at Little Venice in London where the Canalway Cavalcade festival is taking place
Visitors are pictured at Little Venice in London where the annual Canalway Cavalcade narrowboat festival is taking place
Perfect weather at Little Venice in London where the annual May bank holiday Canalway Cavalcade is taking place
A man polishes a fitting on his boat at the annual May Bank Holiday Canalway Cavalcade narrowboat festival in London
A woman holds her sandals on the beach at Watergate, Newquay, on a hot day this afternoon
A woman stands on top of a boat with colourful displays in the background at Little Venice in London
People enjoy the sun on Tynemouth Beach in North Tyneside on the North East coast this afternoon
People sizzle in the hot weather at Tynemouth Beach in North Tyneside on the North East coast today
A man goes for a run in the shade at Little Venice in London on a warm Sunday morning
The sun rises over the City of London, as seen from Richmond Park, as the Bank Holiday Monday is forecast to be the hottest since the holiday was introduced in 1978
Dawn breaks over Wharfedale viaduct near Leeds, West Yorkshire, on a warm Sunday morning
Dawn breaks over Wharfedale viaduct near Leeds, West Yorkshire, as temperatures are expected to hit 21 degrees
The sun rises over London as temperatures are set to hit a high of 84F on Bank Holiday Monday
The Angel of the North stands proudly above the fog on Tyneside this morning with temperatures soaring across the country
Photographer Usman Dawood takes pictures as dawn breaks over Wharfedale viaduct near Leeds this morning
The Angel of the North pictured in Gateshead this morning as temperatures are set to break May Day Bank Holiday records
Fishermen dig for bait in Dublin Bay as the warm weather continues over the Bank Holiday weekend
A woman goes for a paddle as fog rolls in off the Irish sea in Dublin Bay this morning
The woman is seen going for a paddle on a foggy morning in Dublin Bay as another warm day began
A woman goes for a paddle as fog rolls in off the Irish sea in Dublin Bay on a warm Sunday morning
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