After basking in a rare burst of summer heat, Londoners are set for a sharp and sudden change in weather. The capital, which has enjoyed highs nearing 30°C, will face a dramatic temperature dip this weekend, according to BBC Weather.
It’s been a glorious week of sunshine, with thermometers soaring to an astonishing 29°C, marking the hottest day of the year so far. But that warm spell is about to end. BBC Weather has warned that by Sunday morning (4 May), temperatures could plummet to a chilly 9°C.
Today (1 May) and tomorrow (2 May) will still feel summery, with temperatures climbing between 26°C and 30°C by late afternoon. Friday is expected to reach around 26°C, though skies will be a bit cloudier.
Saturday begins the cooling trend, with highs of just 19°C. But it’s Sunday that’ll deliver the real shock. BBC Weather forecasts a cloudy day with sunny spells appearing briefly between 4pm and 8pm. Temperatures will peak at 14°C by 2pm before dipping to 11°C in the evening. The early morning chill could see lows of just 6°C.
Better bring that umbrella, too—light rain is expected from midday, lasting around two hours.
The Met Office shares a slightly different outlook, predicting a dry day on Sunday and a slightly warmer peak of 16°C. However, it’ll feel more like 12°C thanks to a light breeze.
So, while it might look mild on paper, it won’t feel like T-shirt weather. Time to swap flip-flops for jackets again.
Both BBC Weather and the Met Office agree on one thing—temperatures won’t be returning to summer highs any time soon. Next week, the mercury is expected to hover below 19°C. Monday and Tuesday will be particularly dull, with overcast skies and cooler breezes taking centre stage.
Here’s a snapshot of the five-day forecast for London, courtesy of the Met Office:
| Day | High | Low |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday (May 1) | 30°C | 15°C |
| Friday (May 2) | 26°C | 10°C |
| Saturday (May 3) | 19°C | 7°C |
| Sunday (May 4) | 16°C | 6°C |
| Monday (May 5) | 14°C | 6°C |
If you’re reading this on Thursday or Friday, make the most of it. These are likely to be the last hot, sunny days for a while.
“We’ll see a certifiably scorching 29°C – 30°C today around 5pm, and temperatures either side of this will only be 1°C or 2°C less, reaching a low of 21°C in the evening. This is the hottest day of the year so far!”
Don’t pack away the jumpers just yet. Spring might have flirted with summer, but the chill is far from over.
London’s brief brush with summer heat is coming to a close, with temperatures expected to nosedive over the weekend. From record highs of 30°C to single-digit lows, the shift will be a jarring one. Be sure to plan accordingly—sun today, jackets tomorrow. And perhaps, keep that umbrella handy too.
