Residents in Southend-on-Sea are preparing for an exceptional spell of warm weather this week, with temperatures forecast to climb to 33°C on Tuesday 26 May 2026. This peak follows a gradual rise in temperatures over the bank holiday weekend, with the Met Office predicting 25°C on Sunday and 30°C on Monday.
The current UK temperature record for May stands at 32.8°C, which was set in 1944. According to Steve Kocher, the Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster, it is likely that the May and Spring UK temperature records will be broken over the Bank Holiday weekend, with forecast temperatures surpassing the existing record of 32.8°C. A recent climate attribution study indicates that such extreme temperatures are now three times more likely to occur than in a climate not influenced by human-caused greenhouse gas emissions.
In response to the heat, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued an amber heat-health alert for the East of England region, which includes Southend-on-Sea. The alert is in effect from 2pm on Friday 22 May until 5pm on Wednesday 27 May. During this period, UV levels are expected to remain high, and officials advise residents to seek shade during the middle of the day, cover up, and apply sunscreen.
While inland areas may experience extreme heat, coastal conditions may be influenced by sea surface temperatures, which currently range from 9°C to 13°C. The warm weather is forecast to be short-lived, with a 30% chance of rain at 3pm on Tuesday and a significant drop in temperature to 18°C on Wednesday.
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