The UK basked in late summer sunshine as temperatures rose above 30C (86F) and reached a record-breaking bank holiday high in Wales. Temperatures soared to 27.4C in Gogerddan, near Aberystwyth, surpassing the bank holiday record set in 2013 in Velindre, Powys.

The Met Office expects the UK bank holiday temperature record to be broken this weekend. On Monday, it is predicted to reach 33C, beating the previous record set at Heathrow airport in 2001, when the temperature reached 31.5C.

In the rest of the UK, the hottest bank holiday weekend in Northern Ireland was 27C in Knockaraven, County Fermanagh, in 2003. Monday is not a bank holiday in Scotland.

A spokesperson for the Met Office said there was a small chance that the UK’s bank holiday weekend record could be beaten on Saturday, with temperatures in Heathrow reaching 30.5C, but said the temperature was more likely to be broken later in the weekend.

Saturday’s sunshine is forecast to continue into the evening for much of the country, followed by a dry and fairly warm night. Temperatures are expected to hit the mid-20s for many, but could reach 30C in south-eastern parts. Rain is forecast for the far north of Scotland, with a slight chance of rain in Northern Ireland.

Last month the highest ever UK temperature was recorded in Cambridge University Botanic Garden on 25 July, when the temperature hit 38.7C. The previous record was 38.5C in Faversham, Kent, in August 2003.

Public Health England has urged people to keep safe in the heat and to remember to look out for family, friends and neighbours who may need support during the hot weather.