Temperatures soared to an historic 35°C today as Brits flocked to the coast to bask in the sizzling sun on the hottest May day ever recorded. Up to nine counties, including Greater London, Surrey, and Norfolk, saw unprecedented heat, with many exceeding the previous record of 32.8°C set in 1944.
Record-Breaking Temperatures
A new record was set at 34.8°C in Kew Gardens, southwest London, while Heathrow Airport and Bushy Park in Teddington also recorded temperatures within the 34°C range. Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland broke their own monthly highs, with temperatures reaching 32.2°C, 25.5°C, and 24.6°C respectively.
The Met Office confirmed that eight regions officially entered heatwave conditions on Sunday after three consecutive days at or above the temperature threshold. These include Heathrow in Greater London, Benson in Oxfordshire, Brooms Barn in Suffolk, High Beech in Essex, Kew Gardens in London, Northolt in London, Santon Downham in Suffolk, and Writtle in Essex.
The record high temperature of 34.8°C was detected at around 4pm, surpassing previous records earlier in the day and the bank holiday record of 33.3°C from August 2019.
Heatwave Impacts
The blistering heat has led to health concerns, with amber and yellow health alerts remaining in place across England. Tragically, a man died on the beach in Hastings, East Sussex, following a medical incident, and a 15-year-old boy drowned at Swanholme Lakes in Lincoln on Sunday. Nearly 60 people were treated for conditions including heat exhaustion at the Edinburgh Marathon on Sunday, and around 500 properties supplied by South East Water in Sussex and Kent experienced outages and low pressure.
On Monday, beaches across the country were packed with sunseekers, while others visited lidos and parks to make the most of the final day of a scorching weekend.
Forecast and Advice
Tomorrow is expected to be another extremely hot day, with temperatures peaking at 35°C in London, the Home Counties, and Cambridgeshire. The heat will continue through the week, with highs of 31°C on Wednesday, 30°C on Thursday, 27°C on Friday, and 28°C on Saturday.
Tom Morgan, a Met Office meteorologist, said: 'We rarely see temperatures above 35°C, even in the summer months, so to see temperatures getting close to 35°C in May is, as I say, pretty historic.' The warm spell has been driven by high pressure over the country, causing air to sink, compress, and heat. More heatwaves are expected this summer due to the developing super El Niño phenomenon.
Morgan added that overnight temperatures could also break records, making it 'uncomfortable for sleeping'. High pollen levels and UV rays are also a concern, with the Met Office advising people to 'seek shade during midday hours, cover up, and wear sunscreen'.
Dr Anya Gopfert, Consultant in Health Protection at UKHSA, said: 'We know that even moderate heat can lead to serious health problems, especially for older people and those with certain health conditions, so it's important that everyone takes simple precautions while enjoying the warm weather over the coming days. If you have friends, family, or neighbours who are more vulnerable, it is important to check in on them and ensure they are aware of the forecasts and are following the necessary advice.'
Age UK recommends staying indoors between 11am and 3pm, the hottest hours of the day, and taking regular cold baths or showers. Charity director Caroline Abrahams said: 'We can all help older people stay safe during periods of hot weather by checking in on older relatives, friends, and neighbours to see if they need anything or are struggling with the heat. Offering to pick up shopping or medication, or even lending a fan, can make a real difference.'
