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UK records historic 35.1 degrees at Kew Gardens as May heatwave shatters records across Europe
Temperatures in the United Kingdom soared to 35.1 degrees Celsius at Kew Gardens in West London, making it the hottest May day on record. Wales and the Republic of Ireland also broke their all-time May temperature records as an unprecedented early heatwave gripped Europe.
Temperatures across the United Kingdom soared to extraordinary levels as a historic May heatwave gripped the country, with Kew Gardens in West London recording 35.1 degrees Celsius, shattering the previous record for the month. Across the southern half of the UK, temperatures widely exceeded 30 degrees, creating conditions more typically associated with the height of summer.
The record-breaking heat extended beyond England, with Wales recording its highest ever temperature for May at 32 degrees. Across the Irish Sea, the Republic of Ireland also broke its all-time May record, making it a truly historic couple of days for the British Isles. Senior operational meteorologist Craig Snell from Exeter confirmed the significance of the readings, noting that temperatures of 35 degrees are rare even in the peak of summer.
Unlike Australia, where such temperatures are routine, the UK's infrastructure is not designed for extreme heat. British houses are built to absorb and retain warmth for the long, cold winters, which means that when heatwaves strike, indoor temperatures can become unbearable. The lack of widespread air conditioning in homes and public transport compounds the problem, making heat-related health risks particularly acute.
The heatwave has had deadly consequences across Europe. In France, five people drowned while seeking relief from the heat, and two others died while exercising outdoors. More than 350 French cities recorded temperature records for this time of year, while in Italy authorities have imposed restrictions on outdoor work during the hottest hours of the day.
Meteorologists attribute the early heatwave to a phenomenon known as a heat dome, where a mass of hot air from Africa becomes trapped over the European continent, acting like a lid on a pot and preventing the heat from dissipating. In Portugal, the national meteorological institute has warned that temperatures could approach 40 degrees, with the peak expected in the coming days, and large parts of the country remain under alert for the risk of forest fires.