Get ready for the hottest weekend of the year so far — with temperatures across south-west Wales set to climb steadily over the bank holiday before peaking at 28C on Monday and Tuesday.
After a warm but pleasant 18C on Friday and Saturday, the Met Office forecast shows the mercury jumping to 24C on Sunday, with 28C expected on both Monday and Tuesday before easing slightly to 27C on Wednesday and 25C on Thursday.
It’s a proper bank holiday heatwave — and with sunny weather forecast all the way through, the M4 is set to be packed with drivers heading for the beaches of Gower, Mumbles, Tenby, Saundersfoot and the Pembrokeshire coast.
The AA estimates that more than 23 million journeys will be made across the UK on Friday alone — and is warning drivers that a few common summer mistakes could land them with fines, breakdowns or worse.
Top of the list is footwear. Driving in flip-flops is not technically illegal — but it can get you in serious trouble.
Greg Carter, technical specialist at the AA, said: “Keep suitable driving shoes or trainers on your driver’s seat so you’re reminded to change your footwear from flip-flops when getting in the car, to avoid wearing them on auto-pilot.”
Rule 97 of the Highway Code says drivers must wear clothing and footwear that doesn’t prevent them from using the vehicle controls properly. If flip-flops slip under the pedals and cause an accident, drivers can be fined up to £5,000 and given nine points on their licence under careless driving laws.
The second big risk is hay fever — a particular issue with high pollen counts forecast across the south coast of Wales this weekend.
Mr Carter said anyone taking hay fever medication should check it doesn’t cause drowsiness before getting behind the wheel. Section 4 of the Road Traffic Act makes it a criminal offence to drive while unfit through tiredness, dizziness or blurred vision — even from legal medication. Penalties can include a driving ban, an unlimited fine and a criminal record.
He suggested keeping windows closed and using air conditioning on recirculation mode to reduce pollen inside the car, cleaning mats and carpets, keeping tissues handy and wearing sunglasses against bright sunlight.
The AA is also warning that breakdown call-outs typically spike during heatwaves. Engines overheat, cooling systems fail, batteries die and tyres blow out — all made worse by heavy traffic and long journeys.
Mr Carter said five quick checks before setting off can make a big difference: coolant and oil levels, tyre pressure, air conditioning, battery health and screen wash.
He also urged drivers heading for the coast to travel early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid peak heat, to use sunshades when parked, and to take a cool box with water and snacks in case of a breakdown.
“Never leave children or pets in a parked car,” he added. “Even on a relatively warm day, the temperature inside a stationary vehicle can climb rapidly to dangerous levels.”
One myth Mr Carter wanted to bust — modern fuel doesn’t evaporate in hot weather. “Every summer people panic that their petrol may evaporate in hot weather,” he said. “This is simply untrue — modern fuel systems are sealed so evaporation losses are negligible.”
And for anyone planning a beach day, he warned against taking car keys near the water. Lost or soaked key fobs are a regular call-out — drivers are advised to check their vehicle handbook for the manual unlocking procedure before setting off.
