Hottest May day on record in UK as temperatures pass 34C
The UK has recorded its hottest May day ever, with temperatures reaching 34.8C in Kew Gardens, London. This surpasses the previous record for the hottest bank holiday Monday, which was 33.3C in 2019. The extreme heat has led to health alerts and event cancellations across the country.
- ▪The highest May temperature recorded in the UK was 34.8C in Kew Gardens.
- ▪Wales also experienced its hottest May day at 32.2C in Hawarden Airport.
- ▪The UK Health Security Agency issued its first amber-heat health alert of 2026, covering much of England.
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Hottest May day on record in UK as temperatures pass 34C11 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GooglePA MediaIn the Hill Garden and Pergola near Hampstead, LondonThe UK has recorded its all-time highest May temperature as part of London reached 34.8C on Monday.That provisional figure, recorded in Kew Gardens, also surpassed the hottest bank holiday Monday on record - 33.3C on the August bank holiday in 2019.Wales has also experienced its hottest May day, reaching 32.2C at Hawarden Airport in Flintshire."This heat would be exceptional in the UK even in mid-summer, let alone in May", the Met Office said.The mercury is expected to rise further in the South and South East of England, with forecasters warning of possible 35C heat on Monday and Tuesday.The UK recorded its warmest May night…
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