Topic analysis

Hottest May day on record in UK as temperatures pass 34C

In late May 2026, the UK recorded its all-time highest May temperature, hitting a provisional 34.8C at London's Kew Gardens, alongside record May temperatures across Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and multiple other European countries including Spain, France, Germany, Switzerland, and northern Italy. The extreme heat triggered amber and yellow heat health alerts across England, disrupted water supplies in Southeast England, led to partial cancellations of bank holiday events, prompted public safety warnings from UK authorities and services, and has been linked to climate change, which the Met Office notes has doubled the frequency of UK days over 28C compared to 1961-1990 averages.