The UK has provisionally recorded its hottest spring day on record for the second consecutive day, with temperatures soaring to 35.1°C at Kew Gardens as the heatwave continues across England and Wales.
The Met Office confirmed that Tuesday’s reading at Kew Gardens surpassed Monday’s provisional record of 34.8°C, also recorded at the London site. Before this week, the previous May and spring temperature record stood at 32.8°C, set in both 1922 and 1944.
Heathrow also reached 35.0°C on Tuesday, exceeding Monday’s previous high.
Wales also saw its May temperature record broken again for the second day running, with Cardiff’s Bute Park recording 32.9°C.
The latest heatwave has pushed temperatures far above the seasonal average, with several locations across England climbing above 33°C.
The top temperature recordings on Tuesday 26 May were:
- 35.1°C – Kew Gardens, Greater London
- 35.0°C – Heathrow, Greater London
- 34.7°C – Teddington, Bushy Park, Middlesex
- 34.5°C – Santon Downham, Suffolk
- 34.4°C – Northolt, Greater London
- 34.1°C – Cippenham, Berkshire
- 34.1°C – Wellesbourne, Warwickshire
- 33.8°C – Wisley, Surrey
- 33.7°C – High Beach, Essex
- 33.6°C – Astwood Bank, Hereford & Worcester
The Met Office also said overnight temperatures broke another record, with the UK experiencing its warmest May night on record.
Temperatures at Kenley Airfield did not fall below 21.3°C overnight, officially making it a “tropical night”, where temperatures stay above 20°C.
The Met Office stressed that all national temperature records remain provisional until a full validation process has been completed. This includes site inspections and equipment checks to ensure the readings meet official standards.
Despite slightly cooler conditions expected later in the week, much of England and Wales will continue to experience unusually warm weather over the coming days.
A Yellow Thunderstorm Warning remains in force for parts of England until 10pm on Tuesday evening as isolated thunderstorms continue to develop in the heat and humidity.
Met Office Chief Forecaster Andy Page said: “The exceptional late-spring heat is set to continue for much of this week.
“Last night provisionally recorded the warmest May night on record, and we’re likely to see further very warm nights in the south over the coming days. There is a chance a few places will experience a ‘tropical night’ in the south of England and in Wales tonight, which is where temperatures don’t fall below 20°C.
“While many places will stay dry and sunny, the heat and humidity mean that a few isolated thunderstorms have developed with more possibly developing later today, particularly across parts of England. Looking further ahead, the focus for the highest temperatures will shift westwards on Wednesday, with northern areas feeling more of the warmth on Thursday.
“We’ll then see a gradual change later in the week, with temperatures easing slightly, though still above average, before a more marked change to near-normal temperatures by Sunday and an increased chance of showers and some longer spells of rain.”
Wednesday is expected to bring slightly lower temperatures for some areas as cloud cover increases, although parts of southwest England could still see highs of 32-33°C.
Temperatures around London and the East Midlands could reach 32°C on Thursday, before easing slightly into the weekend. By Sunday, temperatures are expected to return closer to average levels across the UK, alongside an increasing chance of rain and showers.
