Temperatures are expected to reach 35C in parts of England on Monday, marking what the Met Office describes as an 'unprecedented' May heatwave. The current UK May record of 32.8C is likely to be surpassed by a significant margin, with forecasters predicting a jump of 2.2C.
Sunday was already the hottest May day in at least 79 years, with Kew Gardens in west London recording 32.3C. An overnight record was also set, with temperatures at Kenley in Greater London not dropping below 19.4C. London narrowly avoided a 'tropical night', defined as temperatures above 20C overnight, but two such nights are forecast for Monday and Tuesday.
Several areas are officially in a heatwave, including Santon Downham in Suffolk, Heathrow, Kew Gardens, Northolt, Benson, Brooms Barn, High Beach, and Writtle. The Met Office confirmed that Monday will be the hottest May day on record, with highs of 35C expected.
The climate crisis, driven by carbon pollution from fossil fuels, is intensifying heatwaves and making them more frequent. Europe is the fastest-warming continent, and temperatures of 30C, once unusual even in summer, are becoming more common in the UK. Forecasters warn that the hottest weather typically occurs in late July or early August, suggesting further records could be broken later this year.
