Saturday will start with sunshine and warm temperatures for many but Met Office warns of a "much wetter spell" - bringing to an end the UK heatwave that saw temperatures hit record levels12:19, 29 May 2026The record breaking heatwave is set to end this weekend as a “truly historic spell of May weather” is replaced with sweeping rain and thunderstorms across the UK.‌Saturday will start with sunshine and temperatures as high as 29C across some parts of England and Wales. But the Met warns for Northern Ireland and western Scotland the weekend will begin with “a much wetter spell”.‌And on Sunday the rain will start falling across most of the country, although temperatures will still be a reasonable 19C. The Met Office said 'the widespread heatwave will gradually reduce in intensity in the coming days', with a 'transition to more unsettled and cooler weather by the weekend for many'.‌Chief Forecaster Chris Bulmer said: “We’re now starting to see this spell of very hot weather break down. Many areas will begin to feel fresher conditions moving in through Friday and into the weekend as a weak cold front moves southeast and becomes more established across most of the UK by Saturday.“As the heat starts to ease, the weather will also turn more changeable, with some showers and thunderstorms possible. By the weekend, temperatures should be much closer to average for the time of year with accompanying rainfall for many through the weekend and into the start of next week.”‌The UK surpassed its May maximum temperature record on Tuesday, with 35.1C recorded at Kew Gardens, London. This broke the record set the day before, with 34.8C recorded in London on Monday. Previously, the maximum May temperature was 32.8C, recorded in 1922 and then matched in 1944.At least 11 people - nine of them youngsters - while swimming outdoors during the heatwave - leading to experts saying water safety remains a priority.‌In recent days, young people have died in water-related incidents in Kent, Oxford, Lincoln, Halifax, Rotherham, Warwickshire, Cheshire, Farnborough and Lancashire, along with a man in his 60s in Cornwall and a woman in her 70s in Wales.Ashley Jones, Head of Water Safety & Education at Royal Life Saving Society UK, said: “It’s important people don’t underestimate the risks associated with entering open water. Even during a heatwave, water will remain dangerously cold, and cold water shock is a very real danger.‌“Sudden immersion can cause an involuntary gasp, rapid breathing and panic, which can quickly lead to a loss of control in the water - even for strong swimmers.”And Helen Marney, Director of Community Participation at Swim England, said: “It is heartbreaking to hear about the recent tragic incidents across the country. These events are a stark reminder of the dangers open water can pose, particularly during periods of hot weather when more people are tempted to enter rivers, lakes and reservoirs, sometimes without always fully understanding the risks.“We would encourage people considering getting in the water to cool down, particularly less experienced water users, to visit a managed venue or lifeguarded site for the safest experience.”Article continues belowSwim England is encouraging parents, schools and communities to prioritise both swimming lessons and water safety awareness for young people. Equipping children with these skills early on helps them enjoy water safely.Hele added: “ No one should underestimate the power of the water and by improving education and awareness, we can help prevent further tragedies.”