Residents in Reading are preparing for a significant spell of warm weather this week, with the Met Office forecasting temperatures to climb from 26°C today to a peak of 32°C by Monday 25 May.
The rise in temperature is part of a broader heatwave expected to affect much of the country, with the potential to break the current all-time May record of 32.8°C. Because of these conditions, the UK Health Security Agency has issued an amber heat health alert for the South East of England, which remains in place until 5pm on Wednesday 27 May. This alert warns that the high temperatures may pose an increased risk to vulnerable members of the community.
Those spending time outdoors should also be aware of other environmental factors. Pollen levels in Reading are expected to remain high from Friday through Monday before rising to very high levels on Tuesday. Additionally, UV levels will be high throughout the week, and officials advise residents to seek shade during the middle of the day, wear sunscreen, and stay hydrated.
The weather is expected to remain settled with minimal chances of rain across the coming days. Following the peak on Monday, temperatures are expected to reach 30°C on Tuesday before cooling slightly to between 27°C and 28°C by Wednesday and Thursday.
About this article: This story was put together with the help of AI tools and checked by a real person on our team. We're a small crew trying to cover as much of the UK as we can on a limited budget. We're getting better every day - but we're not perfect yet. If something looks off, let us know. You're part of the process.