The United Kingdom has officially recorded its highest ever temperature for the month of May, with the mercury reaching a provisional 34.8C in Kew Gardens, London, on Monday. This sweltering heat not only broke the all-time May record but also surpassed the previous hottest bank holiday Monday of 33.3C, set in August 2019.

This exceptional heatwave is attributed to warm air building under a high-pressure system near the UK, according to Met Office chief operational meteorologist Dan Suri. Such temperatures are considered unusual for the UK even during mid-summer, making their occurrence in May particularly noteworthy.

The Met Office has forecast further temperature rises, with the potential for 35C heat in the South and South East of England on both Monday and Tuesday. This extreme weather follows a record-breaking warm May night on Sunday, when London registered a high of 19.4C. The Met Office noted that since 2003, seven out of twelve monthly record highs have been set, indicating a potential trend.

The UK Health Security Agency has issued its first amber-heat health alert of 2026, covering large parts of England including the West Midlands, East Midlands, East of England, South East, and London. Yellow alerts are in place for the North East, North West, South West, and Yorkshire and the Humber regions, with both alerts active until Wednesday afternoon.

Scotland and Northern Ireland also experienced their warmest days of 2026 so far, with highs of 25.5C in Charterhall and 24.6C in Hillsborough respectively. In Wales, Hawarden Airport in Flintshire recorded 32.2C, marking its hottest May day on record. The average temperature for late May typically ranges between 14C and 20C.

The intense heat has led to practical disruptions, with South East Water reporting that around 500 properties in Sussex and Kent experienced water supply issues due to increased demand. The company apologized for the inconvenience and stated they were working to resolve the problems. Several bank holiday events across the UK were cancelled to ensure the welfare of animals and people.

Despite cancellations, significant public gatherings occurred, including the Gloucestershire cheese-rolling race, which saw participants from around the world compete in the high temperatures. Organizers of some events, like the Leatherhead Lions Club's donkey derby, modified activities to mitigate risks associated with the heat.

These record-breaking temperatures highlight the impact of changing weather patterns. The frequency of record highs being set in recent years suggests a broader climatic shift, prompting ongoing discussion among meteorologists and climate scientists about the causes and future implications of such extreme weather events.