The United Kingdom has registered its highest-ever temperature for the month of May, with a provisional reading of 34.8 degrees Celsius at Kew Gardens in southwest London. This reading, recorded by the Met Office around 5pm on Monday, surpasses the previous May record of 32.8C, which had stood since 1922 and was matched in 1944.
Temperature records are typically broken by only tenths of a degree, making the two-degree leap particularly significant. According to Greg Dewhurst, senior meteorologist at the Met Office, temperatures across much of the UK were 10 to 15 degrees Celsius above the average for this time of year.
If validated, this new record means that seven of the twelve monthly high-temperature records in the UK have been set since 2003. The Met Office listed twelve locations where the previous record was exceeded on Monday, spanning from Suffolk to Berkshire to Warwickshire.
A prior 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.
Parts of central and southern England are forecast to experience temperatures of 33C or 35C on Tuesday as the heatwave continues. 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 across much of the country.
Mr Dewhurst commented on the rapid shifts in weather patterns, stating: "We see these changes happening so much more dramatically. 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."
He added that as a result of climate change, all meteorological models predict "more extreme heat, more extreme weather events" and "hotter, drier summers – wetter, windier winters."
Amid the bank holiday weekend heat, South East Water apologised and distributed bottled water after approximately 502 customers experienced issues including outages and low pressure. Meanwhile, a fire broke out across a large area of Holyrood Park in Edinburgh, near St Anthony’s Chapel, on Monday.
Wales also provisionally broke its May temperature record, with Hawarden Airport reaching 32.2C, exceeding the previous peak of 30.6C set in 1944. The UK’s warmest May night was recorded on Sunday when temperatures did not fall below 19.4C at Kenley Airfield in Surrey, surpassing the previous record of 18.9C from 1944.
Locations where the May high record was surpassed include: Heathrow, Greater London (34.4C); Northolt, Greater London (34.2C); Teddington Bushy Park, Middlesex (34C); Benson, Oxfordshire (33.6C); Wisley, Surrey (33.3C); Reading University, Berkshire (33.2C); Wellesbourne, Warwickshire (33.2C); Cippenham, Berkshire (33.0C); Brize Norton, Oxfordshire (32.9C); Charlwood, Surrey (32.9C); Houghton Hall, Norfolk (32.9C); and Santon Downham, Suffolk (32.9C). The record was matched at Marham, Norfolk, and Woburn, Bedfordshire.
Announcing the Kew reading, the Met Office said: "This heat would be exceptional in the UK even in mid-summer, let alone in May."
On Sunday, Lincolnshire Police reported that the body of 15-year-old Declan Sawyer was recovered from the water at Swanholme Lakes in Lincoln after he was reported to be in trouble that afternoon.
Tuesday may bring some showers to eastern Scotland, but most areas will experience hot conditions again. The day’s heat could trigger a few thunderstorms in parts of England on Tuesday evening. Temperatures are expected to gradually decline from the middle of the week, though dry and sunny spells will persist.
The affected South East Water customers were in Kent and Sussex. The company’s incident manager, Steve Benton, said: "We know water supply issues during hot weather are deeply frustrating and incredibly inconvenient, and we are working as quickly and safely as possible to resolve them." He added: "As a result of the recent hot weather, we’re seeing increased demand across our network and we’re having to pump far more drinking water than usual."
The UK Health Security Agency issued its first amber health alert of 2026 on Friday, warning of a significant potential impact on health and social care services. The alert will remain in place until Wednesday. Meanwhile, the AA warned that the interior of vehicles can reach 60C when the outside temperature is 27C. The breakdown service advised bank holiday motorists to rest every two hours, avoid travelling during the hottest times of the day, and carry sufficient water and snacks. "Drivers should never leave children, vulnerable passengers or pets inside a parked vehicle, even for a short time," it said. The AA also recommended checking tyres and coolant systems, as hot weather increases the risk of blowouts and coolant system strain.
The heat poses particular dangers to vulnerable groups, including older adults, whose bodies may struggle to regulate temperature. Age UK advised staying indoors between 11am and 3pm, the hottest hours of the day, and taking regular cold baths or showers.
