UK records heatwave as parts of England hit record highs for May | UK weather
Parts of the UK are officially in a heatwave, with temperatures reaching records for May.
The first area in the UK to reach the threshold was Santon Downham in Suffolk, which reached the benchmark of recording temperatures above 27 degrees for three consecutive days at 11.30am on Sunday.
Other areas currently in officially heatwave conditions include: Heathrow, Kew Gardens and Northolt, all in London; Benson in Oxfordshire; Brooms’ Barn in Suffolk; and High Beach and Writtle, both in Essex.
Temperatures may rise again and are forecast to reach 31C in the south-east, while peaks of 33C to 34C are possible on Monday.
The climate crisis increases the possibility of extreme heat. Much of Western Europe is experiencing similar peaks; Extraordinary heat warning periods are expected to become “increasingly frequent, earlier and more intense”, according to Météo-France, the French national weather forecaster.
A Met Office spokesman said: “The likelihood of a May record of 32.8°C in our current climate is approximately three times greater than in natural climate conditions before the Industrial Revolution. A once-in-100-year event has now become a once-in-33-year event.”
Met Office meteorologist Jonathan Vautrey said there would be “plenty of sunshine” in many parts of England on Sunday, with temperatures rising above 30C.
“If we get to 33C, or even close to 34C locally, that would give us not only our hottest public holiday day on record, but also our hottest day on record for May,” Vautrey said. “So the temperature is rising, which is really extraordinary for this time of year.”
The criteria for a heat wave are determined by Meteorology. A declaration is made when temperatures in London and surrounding counties reach or exceed 28C for at least three consecutive days.
For most other parts of England and south-east Wales the temperature is 26C or 27C. The threshold temperature for Scotland, Northern Ireland, most of Wales and northern England is 25 degrees.
Saturday was the first 30C day of the year in the UK; 23 May was the earliest date 30C was reached since 1952.
Sunbathers flocked to beaches in England. Photos taken from Margate, Weymouth and Folkestone showed sands packed with beachgoers soaking up the sun.
Given the hot weather, cricket ground Lord’s has relaxed the strict dress code at its pavilion. Marylebone Cricket Club usually requires spectators in the pavilion to wear casual suits or tailored jackets and ties, but this has been relaxed.
There were drinks breaks in Sunday’s League One play-off final between Bolton Wanderers and Stockport County at Wembley, and there are likely to be more drinks breaks in Premier League matches as the top flight season draws to a close.
People living in three villages of Kent experienced water shortage or low water pressure for the second day on Sunday. Areas affected are Charing, Challock and Molash near Ashford; People here first reported water supply problems on Saturday evening.
South East Water apologized and said the issue was resolved overnight, but added that water supply problems resumed around 09:25 BST on Sunday due to “problems at the pump station”.
The UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) issued yellow heat health warnings for the East Midlands, West Midlands, east of England, London and the south-east on Friday morning.
The warnings will remain in effect until 17:00 on Wednesday. According to the UKHSA website, this means there could be an increase in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with existing health conditions, and increased demand for all health and social care services.
While much of the UK was basking in sunshine, the north-west of Scotland faced scattered clouds and patches of rain, according to the Met Office.
