The United Kingdom has experienced its hottest meteorological spring day on record, with temperatures in London reaching a provisional 34.8 degrees Celsius at Kew Gardens in the south-west of the capital. This reading, recorded around 5pm on Monday, surpasses the previous May high of 32.8C set in 1922 and 1944, according to the Met Office.
Unprecedented Temperature Leap
Temperature records are typically broken by mere tenths of a degree, but this instance saw a jump of 2C, a remarkable margin. Greg Dewhurst, senior meteorologist at the Met Office, noted that the mercury is 10C to 15C higher than the average for much of the UK during this period. If validated, this record means that seven of the twelve monthly high temperature records have been set since 2003.
The Met Office listed twelve locations where the previous May record was beaten on Monday, spanning from Suffolk to Berkshire to Warwickshire. Sites include Heathrow (34.4C), Northolt (34.2C), Teddington Bushy Park (34C), Benson (33.6C), Wisley (33.3C), Reading University (33.2C), Wellesbourne (33.2C), Cippenham (33.0C), Brize Norton (32.9C), Charlwood (32.9C), Houghton Hall (32.9C), and Santon Downham (32.9C). The record was also matched at Marham in Norfolk and Woburn in Bedfordshire.
Climate Change Influence
A previous study by the Met Office found that breaking this record is now approximately three times more likely in the current climate than it would have been in a natural climate unaffected by greenhouse gas emissions. What was once a one-in-a-hundred-year event is now a one-in-33-year occurrence. Dewhurst emphasised that such dramatic swings in temperature are becoming more common due to climate change, with heatwaves developing more quickly than in the past.
He stated: "In the past, heatwaves built and built over days and days – these now just develop so quickly. It’s huge sort of swinging temperatures, and obviously records being broken by day and by night, so it just shows how extreme the weather can change, and how quickly it can change, as well." All meteorological models predict more extreme heat and weather events, with hotter, drier summers and wetter, windier winters as a result of climate change.
Bank Holiday Heatwave
The record-breaking temperatures occurred during the bank holiday weekend, with parts of central and southern England expected to see further highs of 33C or 35C on Tuesday. This follows a stark contrast last week, when lows of minus 5C were recorded in Scotland and daytime temperatures peaked at around 14C to 15C. Wales also provisionally broke its May record, with Hawarden Airport reaching 32.2C, surpassing the previous peak of 30.6C in 1944.
The UK experienced its warmest May night on Sunday, with temperatures not falling below 19.4C at Kenley Airfield in Surrey, beating the previous record of 18.9C set in 1944. The Met Office commented: "This heat would be exceptional in the UK even in mid-summer, let alone in May."
Health and Safety Warnings
Amid the heat, South East Water apologised and distributed bottled water to approximately 502 customers in Kent and Sussex who faced outages and low pressure due to increased demand. The UK Health Security Agency issued its first amber health alert of 2026 on Friday, warning of potential significant impacts on health and social care services, with the alert remaining in place until Wednesday.
The AA cautioned that vehicle interiors can reach 60C when the outside temperature is 27C, advising motorists to rest every two hours, avoid travelling during the hottest times, and carry water and snacks. They stressed: "Drivers should never leave children, vulnerable passengers or pets inside a parked vehicle, even for a short time." Hot weather also increases the risk of tyre blowouts and coolant system strain, so drivers are urged to check both.
Vulnerable groups, including older adults, are particularly at risk as their bodies struggle to regulate temperature. Age UK recommended staying indoors between 11am and 3pm, the hottest hours, and taking regular cold baths or showers.
On Sunday, Lincolnshire Police recovered the body of 15-year-old Declan Sawyer from Swanholme Lakes in Lincoln after he was reported to be in trouble in the water. Tuesday may bring some showers to eastern Scotland but will remain hot for most, with potential thunderstorms in parts of England in the evening. Temperatures are expected to gradually decline from midweek, though largely dry with sunny spells will persist.
