The United Kingdom has recorded its hottest ever day in May, with temperatures reaching 34.8C at London's Kew Gardens on Monday, according to provisional data from the Met Office. The previous record of 33.5C, set in 1922 and matched in 1944, was broken earlier in the day at Heathrow Airport.
Highs above 33C were recorded across the southeast, including 34C in Teddington, Middlesex, and 33.6C in Benson, Oxfordshire. Wales also provisionally broke its May record, with Hawarden airport reaching 32.2C. Scotland and Northern Ireland experienced their warmest days of the year so far, with 25.5C and 24.6C respectively.
The heat is expected to persist, with a 35C peak forecast for Tuesday and highs of 31C on Wednesday and 30C on Thursday. Overnight temperatures on Sunday also set a record for the highest minimum temperature in May, with Kenley airfield recording a low of 19.4C.
The extreme heat has led to disruptions, including a large grass fire in Edinburgh's Holyrood Park and water supply issues for about 500 properties in Sussex and Kent due to increased demand. Amber heat health alerts have been issued, indicating a possible risk to life, particularly for the elderly, pregnant women, and those with illnesses.
Scientists attribute the record-breaking heat to climate change, with Dr Chloe Brimicombe of the University of Oxford stating it highlights the urgency of heat adaptation. The UK's Climate Change Committee has recommended installing air conditioning in care homes, hospitals, and schools, and setting maximum temperatures for workplaces.
Gareth Redmond-King of the Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit emphasised that cutting emissions to net zero is the only way to halt climate change, but adaptation is also necessary to cope with the already warmed climate.
