The United Kingdom has recorded its hottest day in May, with temperatures reaching 34.8C at London's Kew Gardens on Monday, surpassing the previous record set in 1922. The Met Office reported provisional highs of 33.5C at Heathrow Airport earlier in the day, breaking the longstanding May record of 33.3C.
Across the south-east, temperatures exceeded 33C, including 34C in Teddington, Middlesex, 33.6C in Benson, Oxfordshire, and 33.3C in Wisley, Surrey. Wales also provisionally broke its May record with 32.2C at Hawarden airport, beating the previous high of 30.6C set in 1944. 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 peak of 35C forecast for Tuesday, followed by 31C on Wednesday and 30C on Thursday. Overnight temperatures on Sunday broke the UK's highest minimum temperature for May, with Kenley airfield recording a low of 19.4C. The warm weather has led to 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.
Scientists warn that the record-breaking heat is a reminder of the climate crisis. Dr Chloe Brimicombe, a climate researcher at the University of Oxford, said: 'The record-breaking heat is a reminder of how climate change is impacting our lives in the UK. It highlights the urgency of recent calls for heat adaptation.' Amber heat health alerts have been issued, indicating a possible risk to life, particularly for the elderly, pregnant women, and those with illnesses.
The UK's Climate Change Committee has recommended installing air conditioning in all care homes and hospitals within the next 10 years and in all schools within 25 years, as well as setting maximum temperatures for working indoors and outdoors. Gareth Redmond-King of the Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit stated: 'Scientists are clear that cutting those emissions to net zero is the only way to halt climate change and limit the danger. But we also know we've got more extreme heat coming this year if, as expected, El Niño joins forces with climate change to break more heat records.'
