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On Monday, London recorded an unprecedented temperature for the month of May, reaching 34.8C at Kew Gardens. This provisional measurement surpassed the previous record for the hottest bank holiday Monday, which stood at 33.3C from August 2019. Meanwhile, Wales also saw its warmest May day ever, with temperatures climbing to 32.2C at Hawarden Airport in Flintshire. The Met Office described this level of heat as highly unusual for the UK, emphasizing that such temperatures would be exceptional even in midsummer, let alone in May.
The weather is expected to grow even warmer in the South and South East regions of England, where forecasts warn that temperatures could hit 35C on Monday and Tuesday. Sunday night saw the UK’s warmest May evening on record, with a high of 19.4C in London. According to the Met Office, more than half of the UK’s monthly record highs for May have been set since 2003, with seven of twelve records falling in this relatively recent period. The intense heatwaves are attributed to warmth building under a persistent high-pressure system over the UK, as noted by Met Office chief operational meteorologist Dan Suri. Average temperatures for late May typically range between 14C and 20C, making the current conditions significantly above normal.
In other parts of the UK, Scotland and Northern Ireland recorded their highest temperatures of 2026 so far, with Charterhall reaching 25.5C and Hillsborough hitting 24.6C, respectively. However, the soaring temperatures have caused some disruptions. Approximately 500 homes in Sussex and Kent faced water supply interruptions on Monday afternoon due to increased demand. South East Water apologized for the inconvenience, assuring residents that they were working “as quickly and safely as possible” to resolve the issues. The heatwave has also led to the cancellation of several bank holiday events across the country. For example, in Surrey, Leatherhead Lions Club decided to remove donkeys and cancel the dog show from its annual donkey derby to protect the animals’ welfare.
Looking ahead, forecasters predict thunderstorms may occur on Tuesday evening as the heatwave persists. Temperatures in England and Wales are expected to remain high, with readings near 30C on Wednesday and Thursday before dipping slightly to the high 20s on Friday. On Sunday, eight locations across England met heatwave conditions, including Heathrow, Benson, Brooms Barn, and Kew Gardens. The AA has issued a safety reminder for drivers not to leave children, vulnerable passengers, or pets inside vehicles, warning that interiors can reach temperatures as high as 60C in the sun. Public health advice from Age UK recommends staying indoors between 11:00 and 15:00 and taking regular cool baths or showers to cope with the heat.
The ongoing heatwave is part of a broader climate trend influenced by global warming. The Met Office’s State of the UK Climate report highlights that the number of days with temperatures above 28C has more than doubled, and days exceeding 30C have more than tripled in recent decades compared to the 1961-1990 average. This extreme weather is not confined to the UK; several European countries, including Spain, France, Germany, Switzerland, and northern Italy, are experiencing May temperatures that are 10 to 15 degrees Celsius above average. Spain reached 38C on Sunday, while numerous localities across France and Germany have broken May heat records. With the heatwave expected to continue through the week, additional records across Europe are likely to be surpassed
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