UK set for 35C Tuesday as May heat record falls

Forecasters warned temperatures could reach 35C in parts of England on Tuesday as a record-breaking heatwave continues.

On Monday the UK recorded its all-time highest May temperature when Kew Gardens in London reached 34.8C. That provisional figure also beat the previous hottest bank holiday Monday on record, 33.3C set in August 2019.

"This heat would be exceptional in the UK even in mid-summer, let alone in May," the Met Office said.

Monday's conditions are expected to return on Tuesday, with slightly warmer air at lower levels possibly pushing readings higher. The highest temperatures are forecast for south-east England, while other parts of England and Wales will reach the high 20s. Fewer places in northern England will see extreme heat than on Monday.

It will stay dry and sunny for most areas, though there will be more moisture in the atmosphere. Thunderstorms are possible across southern England, East Anglia and parts of Yorkshire.

Wales also set a May record on Monday, with 32.2C recorded at Hawarden Airport in Flintshire.

The Met Office said more than half of the UK's monthly temperature records, seven out of 12, have now been set since 2003.

Met Office chief operational meteorologist Dan Suri said the high temperatures resulted from warmth building under an area of high pressure near the UK. Average temperatures for the end of May are 14-20C.

On Friday the UK Health Security Agency issued its first amber heat-health alert of 2026 for much of England, including the West Midlands, East Midlands, East of England, South East and London. The North East, North West, South West, and Yorkshire and Humber regions are under a yellow alert. Both alerts remain in place until 5 p.m. BST Wednesday.

Scotland and Northern Ireland also recorded their highest temperatures of 2026 so far on Monday, with 25.5C at Charterhall and 25.8C at Derrylin in County Fermanagh.

About 500 properties in Sussex and Kent lost water or had intermittent supply on Monday afternoon because of increased demand.

Several bank holiday events across the UK were cancelled because of the heat. In Surrey the Leatherhead Lions Club dropped the donkeys and dog show from its annual derby for the welfare of the animals.

Thousands of people still gathered in Gloucestershire to watch the cheese-rolling race despite the conditions.

Heatwave conditions were met in eight locations on Sunday: Heathrow, Kew Gardens, Northolt, Benson, Brooms Barn, High Beech, Santon Downham and Writtle.

The AA warned drivers not to drop their guard on long journeys this week, noting vehicle interiors can reach 60C in the sun. It said drivers should never leave children, vulnerable passengers or pets inside a parked vehicle, even for a short time.

The Met Office's State of the UK Climate report shows the number of days above 28C has more than doubled and the number of days above 30C has more than trebled in the most recent decade compared with the 1961-1990 average.