Just how hot is it going to get over the bank holiday weekend?

Temperatures are hotting up for much of the UK from today, with the biggest increase in those temperatures for central and southern areas.While western Scotland, Northern Ireland and western coasts of England and Wales will initially remain under cloudier conditions, hot sunshine can be expected for many of us as we head into this Bank holiday weekend.High pressure will tend to dominate with a boost of hot air from France from today.We can see those warmer colours on the temperature sequence here increasing over coming days.Further north and west with closer proximity to low pressure and fresher conditions but even for Northern Ireland and North West Scotland temperatures will be increasing and for many parts of the UK heatwave criteria expected to be met as we head through towards Tuesday, especially for central and southern areas of the UK.Unusually hot weather for late May could see historical temperature records being broken by Tuesday itself.

It's extremely unusual for there to be more than one day above 30 Celsius in May, and this period will see at least three consecutive days above 30 degrees for parts of the UK.Records from as long ago as the 1940s will be broken by early next week.The hottest May days were recorded in 1922 and 1944, when it reached 32 .8 Celsius.Taking a look here, we can see this is likely to be broken by Monday.Bank holiday Monday could see a high of 33 degrees in the southeast of the UK, and it's certainly going to feel very hot even further north.There is currently a government heat alert for the upcoming period, with the Midlands and southeast in particular.

It starts on Friday morning, and it's currently a yellow level, the lowest level of warning, but it could be increased to amber by Friday.And it's released to assistservices around hot spells and the NHS.Those who are vulnerable to extreme heat might want to keep their houses and spaces cool by keeping curtains closed during the day and keep as hydrated as possible.And for those of us hoping to enjoy a dip in the sea over coming days, do be aware sea temperatures in May are are the coldest of the whole year.So don't be caught out, keep cool and enjoy the sunshine.