Scorching bank holiday weather smashes multiple temperature records

Mercury rockets to 28.7C in London during long weekend heatwave

Swimmers take a dip at Hampstead Heath Mixed Bathing Pond in London on Britain's warmest-ever early bank holiday (LNP)

Britain has enjoyed its hottest early May bank holiday ever as multiple temperature records were broken over a scorching few days.

The mercury hit 28.7C in Northolt, west London, on Monday afternoon to nudge past the previous maximum for a day during the bank holiday, when temperatures peaked at 28.6C on Saturday, 6 May 1995.

Earlier in the morning, the record for the warmest Monday during the bank holiday was smashed – a day on which conditions had never climbed above 24C before.

The heatwave meant many Britons were able to bask in sun on what is now the hottest early May bank holiday weekend on record since it was introduced in 1978.

Parts of the UK enjoyed temperatures hotter than a number of popular holiday destinations including Madrid, Athens and Miami.

The South East and central southern England experienced the most heat, but the majority of the UK was saw heat of between 23C and 27C.

Temperatures soared above the maximum averages for May of 13C in the north and 16C in the south.

This weekend's hot conditions have been created by a mix of low pressure, light winds and consistent sunshine.

But not everyone basked under blue skies, Northern Ireland and Scotland experienced more overcast weather, the Met Office said.

And low cloud, mist and sea fog is affecting the northern coast of Devon and Cornwall.

Temperatures are expected to cool slightly from Tuesday as the warm jet stream moves diagonally south east across the UK and is replaced by cooler air.

Looking at the long-range forecast, which is not as accurate as the shorter range forecast, Met Office forecaster Charlie Powell said: "It looks like we should be prepared for some pretty changeable weather throughout the second half of May.

"We're still going to see some dry days, but there's still going to be some wet days mixed in as well."

Additional reporting by PA