Parts of Britain are set to swelter in 36C heat on Tuesday after the country experienced its hottest May day on record, the Met Office has warned. Monday saw temperatures soar to 34.8C at Kew Gardens in south-west London, provisionally marking the highest ever meteorological spring temperature in the UK.
Record-Breaking Heat
The Met Office recorded 12 locations from Suffolk to Warwickshire that surpassed the previous all-time May peak of 32.8C, set in 1922 and 1944. A total of 97 sites reached or exceeded 30C. Senior meteorologist Becky Mitchell said large swathes of southern England and Wales could see highs of 35C on Tuesday, potentially reaching 36C. These areas include the Midlands, south-east and south-west England, East Anglia, and South Wales. However, afternoon thunderstorms may develop, which could affect the ultimate temperatures.
“So it’s a trickier one to predict the temperatures ... definitely potential for it to be hotter,” Ms Mitchell said.
Heatwave Conditions
The UK’s warmest May night was also measured on Sunday, with temperatures not falling below 19.4C at Kenley Airfield, Surrey. Many places across England and Wales will reach the heatwave threshold on Tuesday, and some will have experienced five consecutive days by Wednesday. Heatwave conditions were already met in eight parts of England by Sunday night, including Heathrow, Kew Gardens, Northolt, Benson, Brooms Barn, Santon Downham, High Beech, and Writtle. The number is expected to rise after the bank holiday, though data is pending.
To qualify as a heatwave, temperatures must meet or exceed a specific threshold for three consecutive days. The highest threshold at this time of year is 28C, applicable to London and north towards Cambridgeshire.
Cooling Trend Ahead
Temperatures will gradually decline from mid-week but will remain largely dry with sunny spells. Many areas will still see highs in the high 20Cs. However, eastern regions may experience a drop of around 10C due to a brisk easterly wind.
If validated, the latest May record means seven of the 12 monthly highs have been set since 2003. A Met Office study found that breaking this record is now about three times more likely in the current climate, turning a once-in-a-hundred-year event into a one-in-33-year occurrence.
Impact and Advice
The UK Health Security Agency issued its first amber health alert of 2026 on Friday, warning of significant impacts on health and social care services. The alert remains until Wednesday. The AA cautioned that vehicle interiors can reach 60C when outside temperatures are 27C. Vulnerable groups, particularly older adults, are at risk as their bodies struggle to regulate temperature. Age UK recommended staying indoors between 11am and 3pm and taking regular cold baths or showers.
South East Water apologised and distributed bottled water after about 502 customers experienced outages and low pressure. Meanwhile, a fire broke out in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh, near St Anthony’s Chapel.
The May high record was surpassed at multiple locations, including 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). It was matched at Marham and Woburn. Wales also provisionally broke its May record with 32.2C at Hawarden Airport.
