NewsUK NewsHeatwaveThe Met Office says temperature records could be broken over this Bank Holiday weekend as weather forecasters expect the mercury to rise as high as 33C in places15:14, 21 May 2026The Met Office says temperatures could surge to 33C across the upcoming Bank Holiday weekend - with an official heatwave now expected.‌The national weather agency says temperatures will start to surge on Friday, particularly in southern areas - possibly rising to 30C on Saturday, 32C on Sunday, and 33C on Monday. “It is likely that the May and Spring UK temperature records will be broken over the Bank Holiday weekend,” Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Steve Kocher said. The current record is 32.8C.‌This will constitute an official heatwave, which is declared when we have three consecutive days where temperatures anywhere in the country surpass the heatwave threshold. The threshold varies from 28C to 25C in different counties - meaning this weekend will smash through it.‌Content cannot be displayed without consentREAD MORE: UK weather maps show exact date nine regions will hit 30C - full listREAD MORE: Met Office maps show 12 counties face 30C heat blast on Sunday and Monday - full listThe Met Office says heatwave conditions will likely be reached in parts of the south-east on Sunday. They could then spread “across central and western England and into parts of Wales”.Weather maps support the Met Office’s predictions. Temperature anomaly maps, using the ECMWF weather model, show areas of deep red and black right across the country - indicating where temperatures will rise well above the seasonal average.‌While maximum possible temperature maps suggest as many as 21 counties could see the mercury rise to 30C or above on Monday.READ MORE: May Bank Holiday heat wave to hit 31C as weather maps show 26C for 56 countiesREAD MORE: UK weather maps show 10 regions set for heatwave with 30C scorcherUK counties facing 30C or more this weekendYorkshireLincolnshireLeicestershireDerbyshireNottinghamshireStaffordshireShropshireGloucestershireWarwickshireOxfordshireCambridgeshireNorthamptonshireNorfolkSuffolkBedfordshireBuckinghamshireEssexHertfordshireSurreyBerkshireHampshireArticle continues belowREAD MORE: Met Office forecasts hottest day of year as weather maps show 32C could followREAD MORE: UK weather maps reveal Brits face 31C heat blast as 21 counties reach 28C – listBritish Red Cross issues heatwave warningThe British Red Cross has issued guidance to help people stay safe during the upcoming heatwave.Dafydd Beech, National Community Education Manager at the British Red Cross, said: “As we come into the summer months, warm weather gives us a chance to get out a bit more and enjoy ourselves. It’s important to take care while you have fun with friends and family to avoid becoming dehydrated, getting sun burn or even heat stroke.“Getting into the habit of taking steps whenever temperatures rise can really help. It can be simple things like wearing sunscreen, drinking plenty of fluids or ensuring you take breaks from the sun. Building these habits early means people are better prepared if hotter weather lasts longer.”Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌HeatwaveWeatherBreaking NewsEnglandWalesScotlandNorthern IrelandLondonYorkshire