Image source, BBC Weather Watchers/happydays

While most of the UK is sheltering from the scorching sun on the hottest May day on record, some in Scotland are seeing a spot of rain.

This image submitted by a Weather Watcher in the Scottish Highlands shows thick cloud cover and a light shower in the small village of Achnasheen.

BBC Weather forecasts consistent cloud in the area throughout the day, with temperatures peaking at 15C this afternoon.

Simon Jones
Reporter, BBC South East Today

Around 500 properties in Sussex and Kent have either no water, low pressure or intermittent supplies.

South East Water has apologised for the disruption, and says "as a result of the recent hot weather, we're seeing increased demand across our network and we’re having to pump far more drinking water than usual".

Areas affected include Charing, Challock, Molash and Whitstable after technical issues near Charing and Radfall.

"We know water supply issues during hot weather are deeply frustrating and incredibly inconvenient, and we are working as quickly and safely as possible to resolve them," Steve Benton, South East Water’s incident manager adds.

A bottled water station is open at Challock Village Hall in Ashford for affected customers.

The temperature is ticking up, and we're seeing lots of pictures being submitted by BBC Weather Watchers.

Here's some of our favourites:

Image source, BBC Weather Watchers/Archie

Image source, BBC Weather Watchers/GSDMARK

Image source, BBC Weather Watchers/Pia

Image source, BBC Weather Watchers/Scarborough Lass

Image source, Getty Images

Getting good rest is important for our bodies. If your internal temperature is too high, it can disrupt your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep.

The NHS says adults usually need between seven to nine hours of sleep a night to maintain good health.

As our bedtime draws near, our core body temperature typically falls along with our heart rate, but it's harder to lose heat on hot nights.

Quality sleep is essential to help your body recover during a heatwave, as well as regulating your temperature and maintaining good health, the British Red Cross says.

It says this is especially important for vulnerable people, as good sleep supports immune function, energy levels and cardiovascular health, which are crucial for coping in heat.

Making your bedroom as cool as possible will help. Tips include:

• Drawing the curtains in the day - particularly if windows are on the sunny side of your home
• Open all the windows before bed to create a breeze
• Use thin sheets and sleep in light materials
• Cool the room with a fan
• Wear cold socks to bed (put them in the fridge beforehand)

While it can be tempting to nap in the day, try to avoid disturbing your regular routine - it makes sleep more difficult at night.

Simon King
Lead weather presenter, BBC Weather

It might have been an uncomfortable night for many across England and Wales as temperatures didn’t fall much below 12 to 17C.

With the sun rising high and heating the ground, it’s already turning warm out there for most of us. Here’s a look at the current temperatures.

Simon King
Lead weather presenter, BBC Weather

It looks like the minimum temperature overnight only fell to 19.4C at Kenley in Greater London.

While official minimum temperatures don’t come in until later this morning, as the temperature is already rising here, we can provisionally say this is a new record for the highest overnight temperature in May.

This beats the previous record of 18.9C set in 1947 in Folkestone - and will be the first of two likely May records to fall today.

Image source, Reuters

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has put an amber heat-health alert in place for much of England, including the West Midlands, East Midlands, East of England, the South East, and London.

That means the authority expects that more vulnerable people will need to access health care due to the heat. There is also an increased health risk to people over 65 years of age or with pre-existing conditions like respiratory or cardiovascular diseases.

The North East, North West, South West, Yorkshire and Humber regions are under a yellow alert.

The alert was issued on Friday and will stay in place until 17:00 BST on Wednesday.

There are a few ways to stay safe during heat alerts. UKHSA suggests keeping your home cool and dark by closing curtains in rooms that face the sun. Try to avoid the sun between 11:00 and 15:00, when the day is the hottest. And, if you plan to get some exercise, try keep activities to morning or evening hours when it is cooler.

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Tomasz Schafernaker
BBC meteorologist

Image source, Reuters

The hot weather may spark a few thunderstorms in central England and Wales on Tuesday. However, they are likely to be very localised and not enough to cause a significant break from the heat.

On Wednesday, a break in the heat is expected widely across much of eastern and south-eastern England. Cooler air will temporarily spread off the North Sea as some locations experience a five to 10-degree drop.

However, Wales and south-western England will remain fairly hot, sheltered from the North Sea breeze. Highs, here, could still reach 30C.

By Thursday, the supply of cooler air will be cut off as hot air resurges from France once again. This means that temperatures will increase, with 30C back on the cards.

Most weather forecast models show that respite will begin next weekend and more starkly into next week.

The jet stream, to the north of us this week, will wobble back southwards, meaning areas of low pressure, occasional rain, stronger winds, and a drop in temperature as we head into the first week of June.

Elizabeth Rizzini
Lead weather presenter

Today we are likely to see record breaking May temperatures. In meteorology we talk about records often broken by tenths of a degree.

The May all-time high temperature of 32.8C set in 1944 is likely to be smashed. Temperatures could reach 33C or 34C today, but 35C is not out of the question.

The places likely to see temperatures over 30C today are central, southern and south-east England, including parts of the Midlands, East Anglia, east Wales, and South Yorkshire.

Yesterday temperatures peaked at 32.3C in Kew Gardens making it the warmest May Day since 1944.

Overnight minimum temperatures will be confirmed at 08:00 but it's likely now that we have seen the warmest May night on record in Kenley in Surrey.

As people across the UK wake up, it appears there's been spectacular sunrises all round.

We've taken a look at BBC Weather Watchers for some of the best pics across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland this morning.

Image source, BBC Weather Watchers/Mrbyorkshire

Image source, BBC Weather Watchers/farmoutlook

Image source, BBC Weather Watchers/Brimrod

Image source, BBC Weather Watchers/Laura McCormick

Monday and Tuesday are forecast to be the hottest days of the week with temperatures on both days reaching the mid-30s in southern England.

However, Monday will bring the most widespread heat with all nations set for their hottest weather so far this year.

Wales could also set a new May heat record in the next few days, surpassing the 30.6C recorded in Newport in 1944. And Scotland could see its warmest day of the year so far - it's yet to beat the 23.6C set earlier in May.

But it is not just daytime heat records at risk.

It is possible on Monday or Tuesday night that somewhere stays warmer than the May record of 18.9C set in Folkestone in 1947.

Image source, Reuters

The UK is likely to experience its hottest May day on record on Monday as searing heat continues.

Temperatures are forecast to reach as high as 34C, breaking the previous May record of 32.8C set more than 80 years ago. The 32.3C recorded at Kew Gardens in south-west London on Sunday was the highest of the year so far, the Met Office said.

Amber and yellow heat alerts remain in place across England until Wednesday. The exception will be in areas of Scotland and Northern Ireland, where it will be cooler and cloudier with some rain in parts, according to forecasters.

It comes as eight regions in southern and eastern England officially entered heatwave conditions on Sunday, after three days at or above the temperature threshold.

Wales and Northern Ireland also saw their warmest days of the year on Sunday, with 27.4C recorded in Cardiff and 23.4C in Armagh. Scotland's highest temperature was 23.5C in Edinburgh - just short of a high recorded in Aboyne earlier in May.

We'll bring you the latest forecasts, developments and top tips to stay cool during the warm weather.

Katie Williams
Live reporter

Image source, Reuters

A heatwave has been confirmed in eight parts of England, the Met Office says, as temperatures soar for a third day.

Santon Downham in Suffolk was the first location to cross the threshold at around 11:30 BST, closely followed by Heathrow - here's a list of the full eight locations.

For a heatwave to be declared, temperatures must exceed a threshold above the "normal" climate for three consecutive days.

BBC Weather reports that England, Wales and Northern Ireland all had their warmest days of the year today but Scotland did not.

Throughout the day, the BBC's Weather Watchers have been sharing sun-drenched snaps.

And it looks like the mercury could climb even higher tomorrow, when forecasters predict it could be the hottest May day ever recorded, with temperatures possibly exceeding 33C in parts of south-east England.

Amber and yellow heat alerts remain in place across parts of the country until Wednesday.

We're now bringing our live coverage to a close, but you can read more in our story.

Image source, Getty Images

As high temperatures continue, it's important to take precautions so you can enjoy the warmer weather safely.

Babies and young children

• Babies under six months old should be kept out of direct sunlight
• Older babies should also be kept out of the sun as much as possible, particularly between 11:00 and 15:00
• Once your baby is six months, sun cream can be applied - this should be at least SPF 30
• A parasol or sunshade can help keep your child safe while in a pushchair
• Lightweight clothing can help keep them cool, and sunglasses and a hat help with sun protection
• Keep children hydrated and reduce excessive physical activity

Over-65s

• Those on medications should make sure they are stored correctly - most need to be stored below 25C (and some in the fridge)
• Ask a friend, relative or neighbour to check in on you and help with shopping if you want to avoid the worst heat of the day
• Lots of the same advice applies when it comes to keeping hydrated, applying sun cream, and wearing the right clothing
• Anyone with a pre-existing health condition like heart or lung conditions, diabetes, kidney disease, Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's disease should be particularly cautious

Pets

• Keep pets hydrated - putting ice cubes in their water bowl can help
• Never leave pets in hot enclosed spaces like stationary cars
• Give them damp towels to lie on
• Make sure they have shade
• You can use pet-safe sun cream on exposed parts of your pet's skin, the RSPCA says

Matt Taylor and Helen Rossington
BBC Weather

Today has provisionally been the UK's hottest May day in 79 years.

32.1C was recorded at Heathrow, so far making it the warmest May day since 1947.

England, Wales and Northern Ireland all got their warmest days of the year, but Scotland did not:

• England: 32.1C recorded in Heathrow
• Wales: 27.2C recorded in Cardiff Bute Park
• Northern Ireland: 23.3C recorded in Armagh
• Scotland: 23.4C recorded in Edinburgh Botanic Garden

These figures could be subject to change - final temperatures for the day will be known for 19:00 BST.

Jonathan Morris
BBC South West

Image source, Lily/BBC Weather Watchers

Jersey has seen its hottest May day on record as temperatures soar in the Channel Islands.

Temperatures in St Helier climbed to 29.2C (84.5F), beating the previous May record of 28.9C (84.0F) set in 2003. Records date back to 1894.

The Met Office is forecasting that temperatures will reach 33C (91.4F) in Jersey on Monday.

Matt Taylor
Lead weather presenter

Image source, Getty Images

At 15:00 BST, these areas reached the following temperatures:

• 31.1C in Heathrow, Greater London
• 30.8C in Kew Gardens, Greater London
• 30.5C in Teddington, Greater London
• 30.4C in Charlwood, Surrey
• 30.0C in Farnborough, Hampshire

At the opposite end of the scale:

• 11.1C in Lerwick in the Shetland archipelago
• 12.4C in Stornoway in the Outer Hebrides

But final temperatures will not be confirmed until after 19:00.

We've received pictures from across the country as a heatwave is declared for eight regions of England.

Dogs, cows, people and even butterflies are out enjoying the sunshine, or at least attempting to stay as comfortable as they can.

Image source, Weather Watchers Frank McC

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Weather Watchers Mr Twister

Image source, Weather Watchers Hayley85

Image source, Getty Images

Keeping yourself cool

• Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated
• Wear loose-fitting and breathable clothing
• Stick to the shade
• Use fans, ice and cool showers to reduce your body temperature
• Limit travel and exercise, particularly at the hottest parts of the day

Keeping your home cool

• Open windows on the shady side of your home and close them on the sunny side - also open them at night
• Use curtains and blinds to keep out sunlight
• Use an electric fan
• Limit your use of the oven