The United Kingdom is experiencing temperatures hotter than Hawaii on Friday, May 1, but Birmingham is set for a different story with cloud, rain, and a risk of thunder.
Warmest Day of the Year
The Met Office reports that temperatures could reach 27°C in London and East Anglia, making it the warmest day of 2026 so far. This surpasses the forecasted high of 26°C in Honolulu, the capital of Hawaii.
Birmingham's Mixed Outlook
Birmingham is expected to see a high of 23°C today, the warmest day of the long weekend. However, rain is likely by mid-afternoon, with a risk of thunder. Temperatures will then dip to a maximum of 19°C on Saturday, 16°C on Sunday, and 17°C on Monday.
Met Office meteorologist Simon Partridge explained: "We've got some very warm, humid air coming up from the south. That means we will see some very warm weather, particularly in the east and the South East, because there we'll see the best of the sunshine. Unfortunately, it doesn't mean everybody's going to get a warm, dry, beautiful day."
Regional Variations
Cloud over the central spine of the UK, from Scotland through the Pennines and into the Midlands, could produce heavy rain on Friday. "Certainly the odd rumble of thunder is possible there, particularly over the Midlands," Mr Partridge said.
While London and the South East enjoy temperatures around 10°C above the seasonal average of 15-17°C, Cardiff could be warmer than Athens, where a high of 14°C is predicted, 5°C cooler than the Welsh capital's estimated top temperature.
Historical Context
The warm weather still falls short of the April record of 29.4°C, recorded in Camden Square, central London, in 1949.
Bank Holiday Weekend Weather
Mr Partridge described the weekend as "a different story," with changeable conditions expected across the UK. "There will be some bright spells on Saturday, but there will also be showers, particularly across northern and western parts of the UK."
Rain is forecast nationwide on Sunday, with temperatures cooling towards averages for April. By Monday, temperatures will be roughly where they should be for this time of year, with highs of 11-12°C in the north and 15-16°C in the south. "It will feel quite fresh and chilly compared to what we've had," Mr Partridge added.
