UK weather maps turn orange with 27C 'mini-heatwave' - 22 hottest counties

A long list of UK counties could see the mercury soar.

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By Lauran O'Toole

18:04, Tue, May 12, 2026 Updated: 18:23, Tue, May 12, 2026

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A mini-heatwave is on its way to blast large parts of the UK (Image: Getty)

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A mini-heatwave is on its way to blast large parts of the UK, weather maps suggest (Image: Getty)

A 'mini-heatwave' could be set to blast large parts in the UK that could see temperatures soar to as high as 27C. The Met Office says temperatures across the UK this week are likely to be below the mid-May average, possibly feeling even colder in the brisk northerly breeze.

However, a mini-heatwave appears to be on the cards with WXCHARTS weather maps forecasting 22 counties across England and Wales basking in glorious May temperatures. The warm blast is predicted to hit the country as early as next week, with weather maps for May 22-25 turning a burnt orange colour, suggesting the presence of hot weather. The maps indicate the mercury could even soar to a sizzling 27C.

Weather map for May 22 at 6pm

The first of the warm weather will hit at 6pm on May 22 (Image: WXCHARTS)

Weather map for 6pm on May 23

Temperatures could hit a sizzling 26C on May 23 (Image: WXCHARTS)

The warm weather will first blast the country at 6pm on Friday May 22 with southern England predicted highs of 25C. The Midlands won’t be far behind with highs of 24C likely, whilst East Anglia and South Wales will be just a degree cooler.

However, the heat will not be widespread as the North West will see maximum temperatures only hit a disappointing 16C and the Scottish Highlands will only see highs of 15C.

By 6pm on Saturday May 23, those in eastern and southeastern England look set to bask in the warmest temperatures. London is on track to see the hottest of the weather with a sizzling high of 27C forecast. Meanwhile, Hampshire and Surrey could see the mercury hover between a warm 25C and 26C.

Western England, the Midlands and Humberside may all see maximum temperatures of around 24C. Wales, the south and central parts of the country will see temperatures hover between enjoyable highs of 23C and 25C.

Northern England York, Leeds, Middlesbrough and Newcastle could all reach 23C. However, the warmer weather will not reach the North West, with the mercury only expected to reach the high teens.

Hot weather map for May 23 at 6pm

UK weather maps have turned a burnt orange for May 23 (Image: WXCHARTS)

On Sunday May 24, Surrey is expected to see the warmest weather, with glorious highs of 26C forecast, according to the maps.

Weather charts estimate that some parts of Hampshire and the Midlands could also bask in 26C. Elsewhere, Hertfordshire, Worcestershire and Berkshire will just be a degree cooler.

Almost the entirety of the South West and South Wales will see highs of 24C. Western England and Essex will both see widespread temperatures of around 23C.

East Anglia and Essex will see temperatures hover around the 22C-23C mark. However, the North West of England will once again miss out on the May sunshine, maximum temperatures will only climb to 18C.

In Scotland, temperatures will be noticeably cooler with the Highlands only to see highs of 12C whilst Western parts of the country will see the mercury hover between 13C-15C.

Maximum temperature weather map for May 24 at 6pm