Two temperature records could be broken today as firefighters issue wildfire warning while Brits bask in 30C heat
1 May 2025, 11:27 | Updated: 1 May 2025, 11:46
The mercury could hit 30C today as Britain's Spring "mini heatwave" continues - with two temperature records likely to be broken before the end of Thursday.
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The UK could face the warmest start to May on record, with Met Office meteorologist Michael Silverstone saying temperatures could climb to "29C or even 30C".
He added: "If we reach 30C on Thursday, it will be the earliest date in May that the UK has seen 30C since our records began in 1860."
The Met Office said temperatures reached 24.9C in Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, on Tuesday - making it the warmest day of the year so far.
The previous high was 24.5C in St James's Park, London, on Monday, which reached 24.7C on Tuesday.
Despite the soaring temperatures, the Met Office has ruled out a heatwave this week.
Mr Silverstone said it looks "unlikely" the UK will reach a heatwave - which is defined as three consecutive days of temperatures exceeding the "heatwave threshold", which varies across the country.
The threshold is 25C for most of the UK, rising to 28C in London.
"Admittedly, it could be close for a few places in the South, though, with temperatures either today or Friday only just failing to exceed the required threshold," Mr Silverstone said.
The warm weather could also challenge the record for the highest April temperature in Wales, which is 26.2C.
But temperatures are expected to ease by Friday, and Saturday will bring cooler conditions of 14C to 18C across the UK.
Update 21.45hrs 30.4.25
— Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service (@DerbyshireFRS) April 30, 2025
Firefighters will shortly be withdrawing from the scene of a moorland fire near Errwood Reservoir due to failing light.
One crew will remain overnight.
Reinspection is scheduled for 06.00 hours tomorrow.
Please remember to keep all windows & doors closed pic.twitter.com/vJhJyDiJEP
The searching weather comes as firefighters continue to battle wildfires across the UK.
Firefighters in the Peak District spent the night battling a blaze in Errwood Reservoir in the Goyt Valley.
Ten fire engines were dispatched to the scene.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) has urged caution around open-water swimming after a 32% increase in water-related incidents last month compared with the same period last year.
Craig Carter, LFB assistant commissioner for prevention and protection, said: "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."
