climate
5/24/2026
Pending Review

UK Heatwave Declared as Temperatures Hit Hottest May Levels in Nearly 80 Years

UK Heatwave Declared as Temperatures Hit Hottest May Levels in Nearly 80 Years
AI-Generated Summary

The UK has experienced its hottest day of the year so far, with temperatures reaching 32.3C at Kew Gardens. Eight areas in southeast England, including Heathrow Airport, have officially met the heatwave threshold after recording temperatures of 27C or higher for three consecutive days. This marks the hottest May day in 79 years, and the month is currently on track to be the warmest ever recorded. Amber heat health alerts have been issued for the Midlands, eastern, and south-east England as the Met Office warns of further soaring temperatures. Forecasts suggest the mercury could climb to 34C over the Bank Holiday weekend, potentially breaking records for both May and bank holidays. Residents may also experience the first-ever May 'tropical night,' where temperatures remain high overnight.

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Sources

UK heatwave officially declared temperatures top 32C on hottest day of the year so far | The Independent

www.independent.co.uk
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A series of heat health alerts have been issued across the country

Heatwave conditions met in parts of England, Met Office says - BBC Weather

www.bbc.com
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The soaring temperatures could lead to new national May temperature records being set on bank holiday Monday.

Britain braces for first heatwave of the year TODAY - as temperatures forecast to soar above 30C and as high as 33C over the Bank Holiday weekend | Daily Mail Online

www.dailymail.com
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The mercury could climb even higher tomorrow to a sizzling 34C, which would break the record for the hottest day in May and for a bank holiday.

Feeling hot, hot, hot... Britain hits 32C today and faces first ever May 'tropical night' as heat records set to be broken | Daily Mail Online

dailymail.com
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Blistering Britain is facing its first-ever May 'tropical night' as the month was officially declared on track to be the warmest ever.

Met Office sends warning as UK to sizzle in 30C sunshine today - before rising to 33C blowtorch heat over Bank Holiday weekend as week-long heatwave continues | Daily Mail Online

www.dailymail.com
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Parts of the country are expected to reach up to 30C on Sunday, with temperatures expected to rise as high as 33C on Monday and Tuesday - hotter than the Seychelles.

Hottest May day for nearly 80 years as parts of UK hit heatwave threshold | UK weather | The Guardian

www.theguardian.com
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Highest temperatures of 2026 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland as Kew Gardens in London reaches 32.3C

London heatwave LIVE: Capital sizzles in 32.3C on hottest May day in 79 years as tropical night looms | The Standard

www.standard.co.uk
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London sizzles in 32C on Sunday... but temperatures are set to rise even higher on Monday and Tuesday · Michael Howie|Nicholas Cecil, Chief Reporter @nicholascecil|Megan Howe ... London has experienced the hottest May temperature in the UK with 32.3C recorded in Kew Gardens. The mercury reached the high on a third consecutive day of 28C or higher in London - meaning we are officially in a heatwave...

Hottest day of year so far as temperatures soar on bank holiday weekend - BBC Weather

www.bbc.com
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Amber heat health alerts are in place for the Midlands, eastern and south-east England.

Heatwave conditions reached in parts of England as temperatures climb for third day - BBC News

www.bbc.com
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Eight areas in England, including Heathrow Airport and Kew Gardens, have met the threshold for a heatwave so far today, the Met Office tells the BBC.

UK heatwave officially declared temperatures top 32C on hottest day of the year so far | The Independent

independent.co.uk
50%

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting ...

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