UK breaks spring temperature record as heatwave continues

The United Kingdom has recorded its hottest spring day on record, with temperatures reaching 34.8°C (94.6°F) in London, according to the Met Office. The same reading would also set a new record for the month of May if it is confirmed.

The provisional temperature was recorded on Monday at Kew Gardens in London, surpassing the previous May and spring record of 32.8°C (91°F), which was reached in 1922 and again in 1944.

The Met Office said the old record was also surpassed at Heathrow, Northolt and several other locations across England. Wales also provisionally broke its May temperature record, with Hawarden Airport in Clwyd reaching 32.2°C (90°F), above the previous record of 30.6°C (87.1°F) set in 1944.

“We’ve now provisionally broken the spring and May temperature record,” Met Office Chief Operational Meteorologist Dan Suri said. He said warmth had built under an area of high pressure near the UK, allowing temperatures to reach levels not previously reported at this time of year.

The record will need to go through a validation process before it is officially added to the UK’s meteorological records. The Met Office said the process includes a site inspection and a verification check of the equipment used to measure the temperature.

Further heat is forecast for much of England and Wales on Tuesday, with temperatures again expected to reach around 35°C (95°F) in London, the Home Counties and Cambridgeshire. Temperatures above 30°C (86°F) are also expected across parts of eastern Wales and eastern, southern and central England away from coastal areas.

The UK Health Security Agency has issued amber and yellow heat health alerts for parts of the country because of the potential health impacts.