Tuesday was provisionally the hottest day ever recorded in May in the UK, as temperatures reached 35.1°C at Kew Gardens in London, 35°C at Heathrow and 32.2°C in Cardiff, according to the Met Office. The reading marks the fourth consecutive day of record-breaking heat, with temperatures surpassing 34°C at sites including Bushy Park, Santon Downham, Northolt and Cippenham.
The unseasonably hot weather is forecast to continue through the week, with highs of 33°C expected on Wednesday, 32°C on Thursday, 30°C on Friday and 29°C on Saturday, before cooler conditions arrive from Sunday. The Met Office said that 97 sites reached or exceeded 30°C on Monday, describing the heat as “exceptional” for May.
Monday was officially the hottest bank holiday on record, with a temperature of 34.8°C recorded at Kew Gardens, surpassing the previous August bank holiday record of 33.2°C set at Heathrow in 2019. Monday also broke the previous May daily record of 32.8°C, which had stood since 1922. Both records were broken shortly after midday, when temperatures had already reached 33.5°C at Heathrow.
By Sunday, eight areas of England had reached the heatwave threshold – at least three consecutive days above a specified temperature – including Benson, Brooms Barn, High Beech, Northolt, Santon Downham, Writtle, Heathrow and Kew Gardens. The Met Office said that “we rarely see temperatures above 35°C, even in the summer months”, adding that overnight temperatures could remain above 20°C, making conditions uncomfortable for sleeping.
The UK Health Security Agency has extended amber heat health alerts for the East Midlands, West Midlands, east of England, London and south-east until Thursday, marking the first time such warnings have been issued before June. Age UK charity director Caroline Abrahams advised checking on older relatives and neighbours, saying: “Offering to pick up shopping or medication, or even lending a fan, can make a real difference.”
