**UK Prepares for Earliest 30°C Day in Over a Century, Met Office Confirms**
Britain is bracing for an unseasonably hot start to May, as Met Office forecasters suggest the country could record its earliest 30°C day since records began in 1860. The balmy weather follows a series of increasingly warm spring days, raising questions about long-term weather trends while also sparking fresh safety warnings for those planning to make the most of the sunshine.
According to the Met Office, Thursday is set to be the hottest day of the year so far. Meteorologist Michael Silverstone predicted that temperatures could climb to “29°C or even 30°C,” a milestone never before seen so early in the month. He explained, “If we reach 30°C on Thursday, it will be the earliest date in May that the UK has seen 30°C since our records began in 1860.” This follows Wednesday’s impressive high of 26.7°C recorded at Wisley, Surrey, surpassing the previous warmest day of the year when St James’s Park in London reached 24.5°C on Monday and 24.7°C on Tuesday.
Despite the blistering heat, the Met Office has stopped short of declaring a heatwave. The definition of a heatwave requires three consecutive days where temperatures exceed the local “heatwave threshold,” which sits at 25°C for most areas of the UK but rises to 28°C in the London region. Mr Silverstone noted that while some southern areas may come close to meeting the criteria over the next few days, “it looks unlikely that the UK as a whole will experience a full heatwave this week.” For some, this news may quell concerns about extended spells of stifling weather, but it won’t dampen enthusiasm for some summerlike sun at the dawn of May.
Wales may also see long-standing records challenged, with the warm spell encroaching on the national April temperature record of 26.2°C. However, the respite will be short-lived. Meteorologists expect cooler air to arrive by Friday, with temperatures set to dip to more typical springtime highs of 14°C to 18°C across the country by the weekend.
The sudden burst of heat has prompted various safety reminders, particularly from emergency services worried about increased risks around water. The London Fire Brigade has urged members of the public to think twice before engaging in open-water swimming, following a dramatic 32% rise in water-related incidents last month compared with the same period last year. Craig Carter, Assistant Commissioner for Prevention and Protection at the London Fire Brigade, warned: “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.” He added that cold water can lead to involuntary inhalation and, in the worst cases, result in 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,” Carter stressed.
Amid the excitement over potentially record-breaking warmth, there is a sober recognition that Britain’s unpredictable climate can turn quickly. The advice from public health officials and meteorologists alike is clear: enjoy the weather but take care to remain hydrated, protect vulnerable groups from heat stress, and avoid unnecessary risks near waterways.
While early records like May’s potential 30°C high are bound to fuel debate about climate change and the increasing unpredictability of UK weather patterns, meteorologists point out that unseasonable warm spells have always been a feature of British springs. Nonetheless, the frequency and intensity of such episodes are likely to attract further scrutiny in coming years.
For now, Britons are being encouraged to make the most of the fleeting sunshine—preferably with sunscreen close at hand, and a dose of caution around lakes and rivers. As cooler conditions are set to return by the weekend, this week’s extraordinary run of hot days is likely to be remembered as a brief but significant chapter in the UK’s long meteorological history.