Hottest Day in UK on May record as temperatures pass 34°C

The UK has recorded the hottest day in UK history for the month of May after temperatures soared to an unprecedented 34.8°C in parts of London on Monday. The provisional figure, measured at Kew Gardens, shattered previous records and marked one of the most intense spring heatwaves the country has ever experienced.

The hottest day in UK

The extreme temperature also broke the record for the warmest bank holiday Monday ever recorded in the UK, surpassing the previous high of 33.3°C set during the August bank holiday in 2019. Across the country, residents flocked to parks, beaches, and outdoor events as the unusual heat transformed late May into conditions more typical of midsummer in southern Europe.

Wales also experienced historic temperatures, recording its hottest May day ever at Hawarden Airport in Flintshire, where the mercury climbed to 32.2°C. Scotland and Northern Ireland also reported their highest temperatures of 2026 so far, reaching 25.5°C in Charterhall and 25.8°C in County Fermanagh respectively.

The Met Office described the weather as highly unusual for this time of year. Meteorologists explained that a strong area of high pressure settled over the UK, trapping warm air and allowing temperatures to rise dramatically.

Normally, average temperatures in late May range between 14°C and 20°C, making the current heatwave exceptionally intense.

Forecasters warned that the hottest day in UK conditions may not be over yet, with temperatures expected to approach 35°C in some areas of England. Overnight temperatures have also remained unusually high, with London recording its warmest May night on record at 19.4°C.

Such warm nights can increase health risks, particularly for elderly people and vulnerable groups, because the body has less opportunity to cool down.

In response to the dangerous conditions, the UK Health Security Agency issued amber heat-health alerts across much of England, including London, the South East, East Midlands, and West Midlands. Additional yellow warnings remain in place for northern and southwestern regions. Health officials advised people to stay hydrated, avoid strenuous outdoor activities during peak afternoon hours, and regularly check on vulnerable family members and neighbors.

The heatwave has already disrupted several parts of the country. Around 500 homes in Sussex and Kent experienced water supply interruptions or reduced pressure as demand surged during the extreme heat. South East Water apologized for the outages and said crews were working urgently to restore normal service.

Several public events were also affected. In Surrey, organizers of a traditional bank holiday donkey derby removed the animals and cancelled a dog show due to concerns over animal welfare in the high temperatures.

However, thousands still attended the famous cheese-rolling competition in Gloucestershire, where German YouTuber Tom Kopke defeated local champion Chris Anderson in one of the event’s dramatic downhill races.

Experts say climate change is playing a major role in the increasing frequency of extreme heat events across the UK.

According to the Met Office’s State of the UK Climate report, the number of days with temperatures above 28 °C has more than doubled compared to historical averages, while days exceeding 30 °C have more than tripled over recent decades.

The ongoing heatwave is not limited to Britain. Several European countries, including Spain, France, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy, have also recorded unusually high May temperatures. 

In parts of Spain, temperatures reached 38 °C, while many cities across western Europe reported temperatures 10 °C to 15 °C above seasonal averages. Meteorologists expect more records to fall as the historic heatwave continues through the week.