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UK Weather Forecast Shows Cooler Temperatures After Record-Breaking May Heatwave

UK weather forecast cooler temperatures are expected this weekend as fresh Atlantic air displaces record May heat that peaked at 35.1°C in London.

Asude Karataş • 31 Mayıs 2026 14:00 • 3 dk okuma • 14 görüntülenme

The UK's record-breaking May heatwave is giving way to cooler conditions this weekend, with temperatures set to drop significantly as fresh Atlantic air moves across the country. A new national May temperature record of 35.1°C was recorded at Kew Gardens in London, but forecasters indicate this reprieve may be temporary ahead of potential warm spells later in June.

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The Heatwave Ends
Unsettled Conditions Ahead
Summer Outlook

The Heatwave Ends

A cold front moving eastward from the north-west will bring fresher, damp conditions across the UK this weekend. Northern Ireland and Scotland are already experiencing the transition, with potential thunderstorms and downpours accompanying the shift. By Sunday, temperatures are expected to peak at around 24°C in the South East and just 15°C in north-west Scotland—closer to seasonal averages for this time of year.

Met Office meteorologist Kathryn Chalk confirmed that cooler air is replacing the exceptional warmth that dominated the previous week. The current atmospheric pattern will continue to disrupt the heat as low-pressure systems move across the country, bringing scattered showers by Sunday evening and more substantial rainfall across northern regions of Scotland.

Unsettled Conditions Ahead

The start of meteorological summer on Monday will mark a shift toward more unstable weather. Forecasters predict rain on Monday, followed by heavy and thundery showers on Tuesday and additional rain on Wednesday. Temperatures will remain near average for early June, providing a stark contrast to the record-breaking conditions of the previous week. Nearly all weather stations across England and Wales had broken their local May temperature records during the heatwave's peak.

Summer Outlook

Long-range forecasts suggest the heat may not disappear entirely for the season. From mid-June onward, high-pressure systems are expected to establish control over the UK's weather, bringing drier and settled conditions. Meteorologists anticipate temperatures trending above average during this period, with very warm spells possible in certain regions, particularly across eastern areas. This pattern could mean the unsettled early June conditions represent only a temporary break before summer warmth returns more definitively.

When will the heatwave officially end?+

The heatwave is already ending this weekend as a cold front moves in from the north-west. By Sunday, temperatures across most of the UK will drop significantly, though the official end depends on temperature thresholds in each region.

What was the record temperature reached during this heatwave?+

A new UK May record of 35.1°C was recorded at Kew Gardens in London, exceeding the previous May record of 32.8°C. This was accompanied by six amber heat health alerts issued across multiple English regions.

Will it remain cool through June?+

Early June will see unsettled, cooler conditions with rain expected. However, from mid-June onwards, high-pressure systems are forecast to bring drier, settled weather with temperatures trending above average and potential warm spells.

What regions will experience the most significant temperature drop?+

Northern England, the Midlands, and eastern England will see the sharpest drops—potentially around 10°C—as cooler North Sea air moves in. Wales and south-west England will cool more gradually and remain relatively warm initially.

Is this early heatwave typical for May in the UK?+

No. Since records began, only a handful of years have seen May temperatures reach or exceed 30°C. This heatwave is unprecedented, with temperatures 10 to 15 degrees above normal across many parts of the UK.

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