Hottest May day record broken again as temperature hits 35.1C in London - BBC News

Summary

The record for the hottest May temperature in the UK has been broken for the second day in a row, with 35.1C recorded at Kew Gardens in London
On Monday, 34.8C was recorded, also at Kew Gardens, beating the previous UK May record of 32.8C, which was set in 1922 and 1944
Both Wales and the island of Ireland have also had a second successive day of record-breaking May temperatures, with 32.9C recorded in Cardiff, and 30C in County Clare
However, it's not hot everywhere in the UK - it's around 11C in Shetland
Commuters are facing disruption this evening, with several train services delayed or cancelled - here's a round-up
Meanwhile people are being urged to be careful in the water, after four people died at English swimming spots over the bank holiday weekend
Much of England and Wales are now in an official heatwave, with amber heat health alerts across large parts of England: Why is it so hot? How do I stay cool? How unusual is this heat?

Live Reporting

Edited by Adam Goldsmith, with reporting from BBC Weather

Multiple heat records broken on Monday - a recappublished at 07:26 BST 26 May

Image source, PA
The UK recorded its highest ever May temperature on Monday as temperatures reached 34.8C in Kew Gardens, south-west London. The previous May record was 32.8C, which stood since 1944. Here's a look back:
- The figure also surpassed the hottest bank holiday Monday on record - 33.3C in August 2019, while Wales also experienced its hottest May day, reaching 32.2C at Hawarden Airport in Flintshire
- Scotland and Northern Ireland recorded their highest temperatures for 2026 so far - 25.5C in Charterhall and 25.8C at Derrylin in County Fermanagh
- The sweltering conditions caused a number of bank holiday events to be cancelled across the country
- Meanwhile, around 500 properties in Sussex and Kent were left without water, or had intermittent supply due to "increased demand"
- But not everywhere experienced scorching conditions, with Shetland being a cool 11C on Monday afternoon
A 'tropical' 21.3C sees new overnight record for Maypublished at 07:11 BST 26 May
Simon King
Lead weather presenter, BBC Weather

It was a very warm night across England and Wales and, as the temperature didn’t drop below 21.3C at Kenley, London, it was the warmest May night on record.
It was also classed as a "tropical night" (when overnight temperatures don’t fall below 20C).
This beats the record we set here only yesterday morning.
Temperatures will rise quickly and there’s a chance we could exceed the 34.8C recorded yesterday.
Here’s a look at the temperatures at 06:00 BST.

Overnight heat record set as temperatures billed to rise againpublished at 07:04 BST 26 May
Imogen James
Live reporter

Image source, BBC Weather Watchers | SableD
People are rising in the UK to a provisional record for the highest overnight temperature in May as the heatwave gripping the country continues.
At Kenley Airfield, London, the mercury didn’t fall below 21.3C, which meteorologists class as a tropical night, breaking the record set the day before (19.4C).
Forecasters are warning that records set yesterday could again be broken as it is expected to reach 35C in parts of southern England.
Each of the four nations had their warmest day of the year so far on Bank Holiday Monday, and the UK recorded its all-time highest May temperature as part of London reached 34.8C.
The south-east will see the hottest temperatures, and other areas in England and Wales are expected to climb to the high 20s.
Further afield, France yesterday sweltered through its hottest May day since records began, with parts of Europe also enduring prolonged high temperatures.
We'll bring you the latest on temperatures, how to stay cool, and developments during the warm weather.