Overview
- The Met Office provisionally recorded 34.8°C at Kew Gardens on Monday, which would be the highest May temperature in the UK temperature records.
- Forecasters warned temperatures could climb to around 35–36°C in parts of southern England and Wales on Tuesday, though isolated thunderstorms may reduce peak readings.
- Heatwave criteria have been met in multiple English locations and nearly 100 Met Office stations exceeded 30°C during the bank holiday, with unusually warm nights also logged at sites such as Kenley Airfield.
- The UK Health Security Agency has an amber alert in force because of expected strain on health and social care, and emergency services and utilities reported real impacts including water‑supply interruptions and confirmed recent water‑related deaths.
- Met Office analysis says climate change has roughly trebled the chance of breaking May records, and forecasts point to a gradual easing of temperatures from midweek but continued warm conditions for many areas.