Britain is basking in an 'exceptional' heatwave, with Bank Holiday Monday promising a blistering 35°C — potentially the hottest May day ever recorded. The UK saw the hottest day of the year in 74 years on Sunday when Kew Gardens hit 30.9°C, but temperatures are expected to climb further on Monday, with forecasters predicting records could be smashed.
Record-Breaking Temperatures Expected
The current all-time record for May of 32.8°C (91°F) was set on the late Bank Holiday in 1944 at Regent's Park, Horsham, and Tunbridge Wells. However, meteorologists say Greater London and regions up to Cambridge may see up to 35°C on Monday, while Barbados experiences a milder 29°C. The Met Office declared on Sunday afternoon that official heatwave conditions had been met in eight parts of England. The first to meet the criteria was Heathrow in Greater London with 30°C, followed by 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.
Climate Change and Heatwaves
The Met Office says heatwaves are extreme weather events, but research shows that climate change is making these events more likely. A spokesperson told Sky News: "We rarely see temperatures above 35°C, even in the summer months, so to see temperatures getting close to 35 in May is, as I say, pretty historic." They added that overnight temperatures could also lead to records being broken, staying above 20°C and making it "uncomfortable for sleeping." A UK heatwave threshold is met when a location records at least three consecutive days with daily maximum temperatures meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature threshold, which varies by county.
Impact on Daily Life
Temperatures were so high that the MCC, owners of Lord's cricket ground, relaxed their rule requiring gentlemen to wear jackets in the pavilion for two Vitality Blast matches on Sunday. Drinks breaks were also given at Premier League games and the Championship playoff finals. Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan said: "Record breaking temperatures for May are forecast in the next few days and it's likely some people will see an exceptional heatwave for the time of year... For the bulk of England and Wales, it's blue skies and wall-to-wall sunshine." He noted that temperatures are ten degrees higher than normal for this time of year.
Expert Warnings
Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Steve Kocher said: "Temperatures are forecast to peak on Monday when we could see 33°C recorded in southern England and the Midlands. It is likely that the May and Spring UK temperature records will be broken over the Bank Holiday weekend, with forecast temperatures surpassing the existing record of 32.8°C." Sky's meteorologist Kirsty McCabe commented that it's "quite likely at the moment that we're going to have the hottest May day on record, and potentially even the hottest bank holiday on record, hotter even than the August bank holiday." She added: "It really isn't common at all for it to be so hot this month, which is why we're potentially going to be breaking some records. In May, for example, we've never had a tropical night. And that's when the temperatures stay above 20°C all night."
Safety Advice
Brits were warned to watch out for cold water shock if they were taking a dip in the hot weather. The National Water Safety Forum warned that "this is the most dangerous time of the year" to go into the water. Swimmers were cautioned that the water will still 'feel like winter'. The forum's chair, Professor Mike Tipton, told Sky News that while the air temperature has "shot up with the heatwave", the water temperature is still "very cold." He explained: "It's around about 12 to 13°C. And we know that water temperature evokes a cold shock response, gasping, hyperventilation, and a sudden increase in the workload of the heart that accounts for about 60% of the deaths we see each year going into cold waters."
Health Alerts
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued amber heat health alerts for the East Midlands, West Midlands, the East of England, London, and the South East. The alerts will remain in place until 5pm on Wednesday and replace less severe yellow alerts previously issued. The alerts mean there is likely to be "a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions" and increased demand on all health and social care services, according to the UKHSA website. Yellow alerts have been issued for the North East and North West, Yorkshire and Humber, and the South West, indicating significant impacts on health and social care services are possible. The NHS warns of risks during a heatwave, including dehydration, overheating, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke. Certain groups are more at risk, including those aged 65 plus, babies and young children under five, pregnant women, and those with underlying health conditions. Tips for staying safe include drinking plenty of water, staying indoors, keeping to the shade (particularly between 11:00am and 3pm), wearing sun cream, and avoiding activities that make you hotter.
