The United Kingdom has experienced its hottest meteorological spring day on record, with temperatures in London reaching a provisional 34.8 degrees Celsius at Kew Gardens in the south-west of the capital. This reading, reported by the Met Office at around 5 pm on Monday, surpasses the previous May high of 32.8°C set in 1922 and 1944.
Unprecedented Leap in Temperature Records
Typically, temperature records are broken by mere tenths of a degree, but this new high represents a significant jump of two degrees. Greg Dewhurst, senior meteorologist at the Met Office, noted that many parts of the UK are experiencing temperatures 10°C to 15°C above the seasonal average. If validated, this record means that seven of the twelve monthly high-temperature records have been set since 2003.
The Met Office listed a dozen locations where the May record was exceeded on Monday, spanning from Suffolk to Berkshire and Warwickshire. These include Heathrow (34.4°C), Northolt (34.2°C), Teddington Bushy Park (34°C), Benson (33.6°C), Wisley (33.3°C), Reading University (33.2°C), Wellesbourne (33.2°C), Cippenham (33.0°C), Brize Norton (32.9°C), Charlwood (32.9°C), Houghton Hall (32.9°C), and Santon Downham (32.9°C). The record was also matched at Marham and Woburn.
Climate Change Influence
A previous study by the Met Office found that breaking this temperature record is now approximately three times more likely in the current climate than it would have been without the impact of greenhouse gas emissions. What was once a one-in-a-hundred-year event has become a one-in-33-year occurrence. Dewhurst emphasised the rapidity of these changes, stating that heatwaves now develop much more quickly than in the past, driven by climate change. He added that all meteorological models predict more extreme heat and extreme weather events, including hotter, drier summers and wetter, windier winters.
Impact on Services and Health
The bank holiday weekend heat has already caused disruptions. South East Water apologised and distributed bottled water after approximately 502 customers in Kent and Sussex experienced outages and low pressure, attributed to increased demand. The UK Health Security Agency issued its first amber health alert of 2026 on Friday, warning of significant impacts on health and social care services, with the alert remaining in place until Wednesday.
The AA cautioned that vehicle interiors can reach 60°C when outside temperatures are 27°C, urging motorists to rest every two hours, avoid travelling during the hottest periods, and carry water and snacks. They stressed that children, vulnerable passengers, and pets should never be left in parked vehicles, even briefly.
Wildfire and Safety Concerns
In Edinburgh, fire and smoke spread across a large area of Holyrood Park near St Anthony's Chapel on Monday. Meanwhile, Wales provisionally broke its May record with 32.2°C at Hawarden Airport, surpassing the previous peak of 30.6°C in 1944. The UK's warmest May night was also recorded on Sunday, with temperatures not falling below 19.4°C at Kenley Airfield, Surrey, beating the previous record of 18.9°C set in 1944.
Outlook for the Week
Tuesday may bring some showers to eastern Scotland, but most areas will remain hot, with potential thunderstorms in parts of England in the evening. Temperatures are expected to gradually decline from mid-week, though it will stay largely dry with sunny spells. The Met Office noted that this level of heat would be exceptional even in mid-summer, let alone in May.
Age UK recommended that vulnerable groups, particularly older adults, stay indoors during the hottest hours between 11 am and 3 pm and take regular cold baths or showers to manage body temperature.
