{"id":953657,"date":"2026-05-11T23:58:21","date_gmt":"2026-05-11T23:58:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/953657\/"},"modified":"2026-05-11T23:58:21","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T23:58:21","slug":"uk-weather-maps-show-23c-may-heatwave-looms-see-14-hottest-counties","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/953657\/","title":{"rendered":"UK weather maps show 23C May heatwave looms \u2014 see 14 hottest counties"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Weather maps have turned red as a glorious heat surge is forecast to hit at least 14 UK counties, such as Berkshire, in May, though the Met Office also has a warning<\/p>\n<p>22:49, 11 May 2026Updated 00:00, 12 May 2026<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"UK weather maps\" loading=\"eager\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1_UK-weather-maps.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Weather maps show several areas experiencing hot conditions\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Weather maps show several areas experiencing hot conditions(Image: WXCharts)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Britons are set to enjoy a 23C heat surge within weeks \u2014 as <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/weather\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">weather<\/a> maps have turned red signalling the likelihood of a <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/heatwave\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">warm spell<\/a> in May.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">According to forecasting maps from WXCharts and Netweather.tv, scorching conditions are expected to strike several parts of the country on 21 May, with temperatures climbing to 23C and affecting at least 14 counties.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The weather charts indicate that the sweltering conditions will begin to creep across Britain on the evening of 20 May, as temperatures across England rise to around 20C. By the evening of 21 May, areas around London and Surrey are forecast to sizzle at 23C, according to maps from Netweather.tv. The maps also show that most areas across England and the Midlands will see highs of 20C during the evening.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The warmest spot on Sunday was Plymouth where the mercury hit 18C. It was as cold as 9.6C in Kirkwall, Orkney, on Sunday and temperatures even struggled in the south, with 11.3C recorded in Wych Cross, East Sussex.<\/p>\n<p>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37139963\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/uk-news\/world-cup-2026-england-weather-37139963\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&#8216;Corn sweat&#8217; warning for England as Three Lions face extreme humidity at World Cup HQ<\/a>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37139398\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/politics\/keir-starmer-speech-full-labour-37139398\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Keir Starmer speech in full as Prime Minister vows he &#8216;won&#8217;t walk away&#8217; as rivals circle<\/a><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"UK weather maps\" loading=\"lazy\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_UK-weather-maps.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Weather maps show temperature rising to 23C\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Weather maps show temperature rising to 23C(Image: Netweather.tv)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">But, as the <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.express.co.uk\/news\/weather\/2204150\/uk-weather-maps-heat-surge\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Express<\/a> reports, rain is on the cards before the warm blast. The Met Office&#8217;s long-range forecast covering 15 to 24 May states: &#8220;Changeable and at times rather unsettled conditions look to dominate through the middle part of May, with low pressure often close by.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;This means periods of rain or showers, some of which could be heavy, for many places, though some drier interludes are also expected.&#8221;,<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;For the most part, temperatures are likely to be close to or perhaps a little below normal, with winds often blowing from a northwesterly quadrant. By the end of this period, pressure may increase towards the southwest, which could bring more in the way of dry weather here.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37138277\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/lifestyle\/gardening\/lavender-grow-back-stronger-bigger-37138277\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lavender will grow back stronger with bigger blooms if a 30-second task is done in the morning<\/a><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Glastonbury Tor, Somerset\" loading=\"lazy\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_Weather-UK-sees-sunny-spells-with-a-chance-of-scattered-showers.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"A delightful sunrise in pictured at Glastonbury Tor, Somerset\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">A delightful sunrise in pictured at Glastonbury Tor, Somerset(Image: John Wickes \/ SWNS)<\/p>\n<p><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">14 hottest counties<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Greater London &#8211; 23C<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Berkshire &#8211; 23C<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Surrey &#8211; 23C<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Worcestershire &#8211; 21C<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Warwickshire &#8211; 21C<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Gloucestershire &#8211; 21C<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Oxfordshire &#8211; 21C<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Leicestershire &#8211; 21C<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Norfolk &#8211; 20C<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Suffolk -20C<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Essex &#8211; 20C<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Cambridgeshire &#8211; 20C<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Bedfordshire &#8211; 20C<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Hertfordshire &#8211; 20C<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Weather maps have turned red as a glorious heat surge is forecast to hit at least 14 UK&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":953658,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,4],"tags":[2461,1142,12,16,15,741],"class_list":{"0":"post-953657","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-uk","8":"category-united-kingdom","9":"tag-heatwave","10":"tag-met-office","11":"tag-news","12":"tag-uk","13":"tag-united-kingdom","14":"tag-weather"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/116558663889342351","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/953657","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=953657"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/953657\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/953658"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=953657"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=953657"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=953657"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}