Nottinghamshire is expected to see a hot and largely dry Bank Holiday weekend, with temperatures forecast to climb close to 30C by Monday as an amber heat-health alert remains in place for the East Midlands.
The Met Office forecast for Nottingham shows sunny conditions across much of the weekend, with Saturday expected to be warm but slightly fresher, before temperatures rise again on Sunday and peak on Bank Holiday Monday. The latest forecast gives highs of 24C on Saturday, 27C on Sunday and 30C on Monday, with very little rain expected after the early hours of Saturday.
The warm spell comes as the Met Office says much of the UK is set for an exceptional period of warmth for May, with high pressure bringing fine and settled conditions to most areas over the long weekend. Forecasters have said temperatures are expected to be well above average, with heatwave thresholds likely to be reached in parts of the country from Sunday and into next week.
For Nottinghamshire, Saturday 23 May is forecast to start with the chance of some early cloud and light rain in the early hours, but the day should quickly turn dry and sunny. Temperatures are expected to reach around 24C during the afternoon, with light winds and low pollen levels.
Sunday 24 May is expected to be warmer, dry and sunny across the county. Temperatures are forecast to rise to around 27C in Nottingham, with the chance of rain below five per cent and light winds continuing through the day.
Bank Holiday Monday, 25 May, is currently forecast to be the hottest day of the weekend, with sunny conditions and temperatures reaching around 30C in Nottingham. The Met Office forecast shows a low chance of rain, light winds and moderate pollen levels. Some wider forecasts suggest parts of the Midlands could feel even hotter locally, particularly in sheltered urban areas.
An amber heat-health alert issued by the UK Health Security Agency is in force for the East Midlands from 2pm on Friday 22 May until 5pm on Wednesday 27 May. UKHSA says significant impacts are likely across health and social care services, including increased demand and a higher risk to vulnerable people, particularly those aged 65 and over or people with existing health conditions.
Residents are being advised to take sensible precautions during the hot weather, including drinking plenty of fluids, avoiding the strongest sun where possible, checking on older neighbours or relatives, and never leaving children or pets in parked vehicles.
The Met Office also advises people planning days out or longer journeys to prepare for the warmer conditions, including checking the latest forecast, carrying water and taking extra care if spending long periods outdoors.
Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster, Steve Kocher, said: “Temperatures will climb through the weekend, especially in the south, where 30°C is likely to be recorded on Saturday and 32°C on Sunday. Temperatures are forecast to peak on Monday when we could see 33°C recorded in southern England and the Midlands.”
“It is likely that the May and Spring UK temperature records will be broken over the Bank Holiday weekend, with forecast temperatures surpassing the existing record of 32.8°C. As well as it being hot, there will be lots of dry and sunny weather for much of the UK. There will however be more cloud and some showers in Northern Ireland and western Scotland through the weekend. With relatively low sea surface temperatures there is also likely to be some low cloud and sea fog clinging closely to western coasts.”
The all-time May temperature record currently stands at 32.8°C (Camden Square 22 May 1922; and then Horsham, Tunbridge Wells and Regent’s Park on 29 May 1944).
