UK set for hottest day of the year so far with temperatures set to reach 28C

The UK could be set for the hottest day of the year so far, with temperatures expected to reach 28C (82.4F) in parts of the country on Friday.

The southeast of England will likely experience the highest temperatures, according to the Met Office, with the recent cool and unsettled conditions making way for "pleasant" weather over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Find out the forecast for your area

The warmest day of the year so far was on 8 April, which saw a high of 26.6C (79.88F) in Kew Gardens, in London.

Sky News weather producer Joanna Robinson said there is a small chance that temperatures could reach as high as 30C (86F) in some areas over the weekend, "which is quite rare for May".

Tony Wisson, deputy chief forecaster at the Met Office, also said that many parts of the UK will experience "warm, fine and settled weather" that will continue through to Sunday and Monday.

However, Mr Wisson also warned that conditions in places could become more unsettled, with a chance of cloud and longer spells of rain.

He added: "There is also the chance of thundery rain in places. Nonetheless, temperatures should remain warm or very warm through Saturday and into Sunday, with highs around 26C (78.8F) in the south across the weekend and into next week."

In the Met Office's long-range forecast from Saturday to bank holiday Monday, it added by Sunday, "warm and fair weather is expected to prevail".

"Through the following week, high pressure is expected to broadly remain in place for much of the UK, and fine weather is likely to continue for most of the country," it added.

"There may be occasions where low pressure to the north may bring some brief spells of rain across northern parts, but in general, fair weather will dominate.

"Temperatures are expected to be above normal, feeling very warm at times with light winds."

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Will it be a heatwave?

The Met Office declares a heatwave when the UK experiences three consecutive days of maximum daily temperatures above a certain threshold.

Thresholds vary from county to county, but are highest in London and southeast England.

In the capital, a heatwave is declared when temperatures exceed 28C for three days, whereas Scotland and Northern Ireland will see one declared when temperatures exceed 25C (77F).

(c) Sky News 2026: UK set for hottest day of the year so far with temperatures set to reach 28C