UK heatwave: Major 21.3C record broken overnight as hot weather keeps battering Britain | Weather | News
The highest daily minimum temperature record for May was broken in the last few hours as the temperature at Kenley Airport in south London did not fall below 21.3C overnight, making it a “tropical night”, the Met Office said. For the second day in a row, the UK recorded its highest ever daily minimum temperature.
Yesterday the UK recorded its warmest May 1 day ever as the temperature rose to 34.8°C at Kew Gardens, breaking the previous May record of 32.8°C set in 1922 and 1944. Yesterday was record-breaking heat, with the all-time May temperature record being surpassed multiple times. Just after 1pm the Met Office confirmed the temperature at Heathrow was 33.5 degrees, with temperatures only continuing to rise throughout the afternoon.
Not only was this the hottest May day on record, it was also the hottest bank holiday Monday on record, surpassing the 33.3C reached on the August bank holiday 2019. The previous May record was 32.8C, according to the Met Office.
The Welsh May temperature record was also broken, with Hawarden Airport in Clwyd recording 32.2 degrees. The previous record was 30.6 degrees in Newport, Monmouthshire, on 29 May 1944.
Met Office senior meteorologist Becky Mitchell said much of the south of England and Wales was expected to reach high temperatures around 35C today, with temperatures possibly rising as high as 36C.
Yellow and amber health warnings remain in place across the UK. The Met Office described the current spell as “unprecedented” for this time of year.
Sweltering conditions mean passengers could face travel misery, leading to possible disruption to the rail network. South Western Railways has prepared Londoners for the expected travel misery.
It warned: “Due to severe weather conditions predicted across the entire South Western Rail network: Trains may be canceled or revised due to this issue.”
Met Office Chief Operational Meteorologist Dan Suri said: “We have now temporarily broken the spring and May temperature record.
“What we are seeing meteorologically is the impact of temperature build-up under an area of high pressure near the UK, allowing exceptional heat to build, allowing maximum and minimum temperatures to reach levels not previously reported at this time of year.
“Further heat is expected across much of England and Wales, with similar temperature forecasts for Tuesday. High pressure is expected to taper off later in the week, but maximum temperatures will still remain high, with some midweek lows of 30°C and highs of 20°C later this week.”
