NewsUK NewsWeatherThe UK is set for an extremely hot bank holiday Monday, with highs of 31C and much of the country set to bask in warm, dry sunshine15:40, 20 May 2026Bank Holiday Monday could bring the hottest weather of the year so far, with the Met Office forecasting highs of 31C in parts of the country.‌The national weather service says Monday will be "warm and dry for most" following a "very warm" bank holiday weekend "with plenty of sunshine and light winds". London could hit scorching highs of 31C, while much of southern England is expected to see temperatures in the high 20s.‌Weather maps by WXCharts, which uses MetDesk data, suggest at least 56 counties could bask in 26C or above by 6pm on Monday evening. Much of England and Wales looks set to enjoy the warmer weather, although some exposed coastal areas are expected to be slightly cooler, particularly parts of south-west England and parts of the south-east coast, as well as parts of Cumbria and Yorkshire in the north.‌Only a handful of areas in Scotland - including the Scottish Borders, Lothian and Aberdeenshire - are expected to reach similar temperatures, while Northern Ireland could see highs of 25C.The current record for this year was set on April 8 when Kew Gardens hit 26.6C - but that could soon be beaten.‌Counties expected to hit 26C or higher:EnglandTyne and WearCounty DurhamLancashireMerseysideCheshireNorth YorkshireWest YorkshireSouth YorkshireEast Riding of YorkshireLincolnshireDerbyshireNottinghamshireLeicestershireRutlandStaffordshireShropshireWarwickshireWest MidlandsWorcestershireHerefordshireNorthamptonshireCambridgeshireBedfordshireHertfordshireBuckinghamshireOxfordshireBerkshireSurreyHampshireIsle of WightWest SussexGreater LondonCity of LondonGloucestershireWiltshireSomersetDorsetBristolWalesBrecknockshireCaernarfonshireCardiganshireCarmarthenshireClwydDenbighshireDyfedFlintshireGlamorganGwentGwyneddMerionethshireMonmouthshireMontgomeryshirePembrokeshireRadnorshireScotlandAberdeenshireLothianScottish BordersArticle continues belowIn its outlook for Friday to Sunday, the Met Office says: "Very warm over the Bank Holiday weekend with plenty of sunshine and light winds. However, some heavy, thundery showers are possible on Saturday and some rain in the northwest."The Met Office's long-range weather forecast from Monday, May 25, to Wednesday, June 3, reads: "Warm and dry for most on Bank Holiday Monday. Through the week, high pressure is expected to remain in place for much of the UK, meaning fine weather likely to continue for most places."Some patchy rain may affect the far north at times and perhaps a few showers in the far south. Temperatures are expected to be above normal, feeling very warm at times with light winds."Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌WeatherHolidaysMet Office