Hottest May day ever recorded in the UK as temperatures top 33C – and could still go higher
The UK experienced its hottest May day on record on Monday, with temperatures reaching 33.5C.
Forecasters say unseasonable spring break weather has broken the record for both the warmest May day ever and the hottest day of the year, and afternoon temperatures could reach as high as 35C.
Monday’s scorching weather also broke the record for the hottest bank holiday ever recorded, after temperatures surpassed the 33.3C recorded in August 2019.
The highest temperature is expected in Lincolnshire, the Midlands, western parts of East Anglia and southwards to the London area, where 35C is forecast.
“Today will be the hottest day of May in the UK based on our temperature records, with top temperatures of 35 degrees expected,” a Met Office spokesman said.
“Records are often broken by tenths of a degree, making this heatwave unprecedented for this time of year.”
Today’s record temperature exceeded the previous May temperature record of 32.8C recorded in 1944.
Northern England, Wales, the Midlands, eastern England and parts of south-east England experienced weather conditions around 30C on Monday.
It comes after a heatwave was officially declared in eight parts of south-east England, with temperatures exceeding the 27C threshold for three consecutive days of hot weather.
On Sunday, temperatures reached 32.3C in Kew Gardens in south-west London, while temperatures in parts of south-east England exceeded 30C.
Tuesday will be another scorching day for the country, with temperatures expected to reach 35C again in London and surrounding counties.
Temperatures in parts of England and east Wales will exceed 30C on Tuesday.
A number of amber heat health warnings have been issued for the east Midlands, west Midlands, eastern England, London and the South East.
Authorities have warned that the hot weather could cause an increase in deaths as well as significant impacts on health and social care services, and the warnings continued until 5pm on 27 May.
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