The UK has experienced its third consecutive record-breaking night in May, with temperatures failing to drop below 20°C in some areas, marking a 'tropical night'. Kenley airfield in south London recorded an overnight low of 21.3°C, the highest minimum temperature for May on record.
This follows two days of unprecedented heat, with the mercury reaching 35.1°C at Heathrow on Tuesday, surpassing the previous day's high of 34.8°C at Kew Gardens. The previous May record of 32.8°C had stood since 1922.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms across England, effective from 3pm to 10pm on Tuesday. Isolated storms could bring lightning, hail, and gusty winds, with potential for up to 30mm of rainfall in an hour in some areas.
Amber heat-health alerts remain in place for several regions until Thursday, while the UK Health Security Agency has extended warnings. The National Fire Chiefs Council has issued a water safety warning following multiple drownings over the bank holiday weekend, including the deaths of four teenagers.
Climate scientists have linked the extreme weather to climate change. Professor Friederike Otto of Imperial College London stated: 'This record-breaking heat has the fingerprints of climate change all over it. Temperatures on this scale were once exceptional even at the height of summer.'
Temperatures are expected to decline from midweek, but many areas will continue to experience warm conditions.
