**’Line of Heat’ Threatens Earliest 30°C on Record Across UK**
As April draws to a close, meteorologists are closely monitoring an unusually warm spell sweeping across the UK, raising the possibility of the earliest 30°C ever recorded in the country. The Met Office has provided detailed insights into which regions stand to experience this exceptional temperature, describing a distinct ‘line of heat’ running through central and southern parts of England.
On Tuesday, the UK basked in its warmest day of the year so far, with Ross-on-Wye in Herefordshire recording a peak of 24.9°C. This edged out Monday’s high of 24.5°C in London’s St James’s Park, which itself crept up to 24.7°C later on Tuesday. Forecasters believe this is just the beginning, with temperatures across southern England and the Midlands expected to climb to 27°C or 28°C on Wednesday, and possibly even higher later in the week.
Wales is also under the spotlight, as expectations grow that the current spell could eclipse the nation’s highest ever April temperature of 26.2°C. Craig Snell, meteorologist at the Met Office, commented that Wednesday’s peak heat would likely be felt along a band extending from London through the West Country and into the Midlands, suggesting “central southern parts of the UK are probably going to be where the highest temperatures will be tomorrow.”
The heat is predicted to intensify on Thursday, with many areas potentially experiencing the apex of this sudden warm surge. Mr Snell anticipates maximum temperatures could touch 28°C or even 29°C, especially “in a corridor from the west of London towards Bristol” — the focal points for these near-record-breaking highs.
“This period could result in one of the warmest starts to May ever noted,” Mr Snell explained, highlighting just how atypical these conditions are. While warm and sunny periods in April are not unknown, with the mercury often nudging into the mid-20s, Met Office chief meteorologist Paul Gundersen explained that “it is more unusual to see temperatures reach the high-20s, and if we see 30°C this week, it will be the earliest point in the year on record for such a threshold.”
It’s worth noting that while this heatwave is extraordinary, it’s not without precedent. The highest UK April temperature remains 29.4°C, set in Camden Square, London, back in 1949. For May, the record stands at a sweltering 32.8°C, also in Camden Square, achieved on the 22nd of May 1922.
However, this stretch of glorious sunshine is expected to be short-lived. Meteorologists forecast a distinct cooling trend from Friday onwards as the current area of high pressure begins to retreat, drawing an end to what might become an historic warm snap.
Whilst many will be tempted to make the most of the heat, authorities are urging caution, particularly around open water. The London Fire Brigade (LFB) has reported a 32% spike in water-related incidents throughout April compared to the same period last year. Assistant Commissioner for Prevention and Protection, Craig Carter, advised: “Even when the sun is shining, water temperatures can be dangerously cold. Cold water shock can affect anyone, no matter how fit or experienced they are. It can lead to water inhalation and, in the worst cases, drowning. Be particularly careful near the water’s edge – it’s easy to slip and fall unexpectedly. And think twice before jumping into open water.”
Statistics from the LFB reveal that in the first quarter of 2025, crews responded to 160 separate water-related emergencies, averaging more than 13 per week — a notable increase from fewer than 11 per week during the same period in 2024.
As the mercury continues to rise and the sun blazes over much of the UK, there is optimism and concern in equal measure. While many look forward to basking in some of the hottest spring weather on record, safety and caution remain key messages from authorities during this unexpected early summer preview.