Met Office says hottest day of year will hit UK within days in 26C scorcher

The Met Office has explained when the hottest day of the year will hit - so far at least - in an imminent May UK heatwave. The forecasters and meteorologists at the forecasting agency have had their say as temperatures skyrocket to a sizzling 26C.

"High pressure dominates at the moment. The temperatures will be slightly above average for the time of year and Saturday is looking like the warmest day this week, when temperatures could peak at 26C," Andrea Bishop, spokesperson at the Met Office, told the Mirror today.

"But we are encouraging people to take note of the pollen count and UV levels as these will both be high this week. So, if you do have hayfever, it may be unpleasant and you should take relief. Today, pollen levels will be at their highest at around 1pm and they'll remain high for most of the week.

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"There are instances of high pollen levels and UV levels over the next few days, including Saturday, so we are encouraging people to be aware." Looking ahead from May 13, next Monday, onwards, the Met Office forecast says the month could become "unsettled".

It said: "The weather is expected to change from the current warm and settled conditions, and return to an unsettled and showery pattern. Rain and showers, perhaps heavy and thundery, are expected across much of the country. Rainfall amounts could be above average in many areas, especially where showers merge and become slow moving.

"Winds could fresh at times, especially near heavier showers and along coasts. Temperatures will not be as high as the previous week, and are expected to fall closer to average for May. Where it remains damp and cloudy it will feel much cooler than of late.

"However where there are any breaks in the cloud, and where winds fall light, it will feel warm in any sunny spells."