Hottest May day for 79 years with Monday forecast to be even warmer

Parts of the UK were as hot as the Mediterranean with a high of 32.1C at Heathrow.

The UK saw its hottest May day for at least 79 years on Sunday as “historic” temperatures are set to break records for the warmest bank holiday Monday.

Parts of the UK were as hot as the Mediterranean, reaching highs of 32.1C at Heathrow, but Monday’s temperatures are expected to soar even higher to 34C in Greater London and across south-east England.

Wales and Northern Ireland also reached 2026 record temperatures of 27.4C in Cardiff and 23.4C in Armagh on Sunday.

Scotland saw highs of 23.5C in Edinburgh on Sunday, just 0.1C below the current record of 23.6C in Aboyne on May 1.

It comes as the Met Office said heatwave conditions have now been met in eight parts of England – Heathrow in Greater London, Benson in Oxfordshire, Brooms Barn in Suffolk, High Beech in Essex, Kew Gardens in London, Northolt in London, Santon Downham in Suffolk and Writtle in Essex.

The Met Office said that Santon Downham was the first location to meet the criteria at around 11.30am and its heatwave threshold is 27C for three consecutive days.

It was closely followed by Heathrow, where the criteria is three consecutive days at 28C, at around 11.50am.

Tom Morgan, a Met Office meteorologist, told the Press Association: “We rarely see temperatures above 35C, even in the summer months, so to see temperatures getting close to 35C in May is, as I say, pretty historic.”

He said overnight temperatures could also lead to records being broken, staying above 20C and being “uncomfortable for sleeping”.

Saturday was the first time this year that the UK had passed 30C and Sunday was even hotter the hottest May temperature since 1947.

Although Monday is set to be hot for many parts of England, north-west Scotland will be breezier and damper with thicker clouds.

Heat is considered to be more dangerous for older adults as their bodies struggle to regulate temperature and Age UK is recommending they stay inside during the hottest hours of the day, which are between 11am and 3pm, and have regular cold baths or showers.

Caroline Abrahams, Age UK charity director, said: “We can all help older people stay safe during periods of hot weather by checking in on older relatives, friends and neighbours to see if they need anything or are struggling with the heat.

“Offering to pick up shopping or medication, or even lending a fan, can make a real difference.”

Animals at London Zoo who are used to milder temperatures have been given ice lollies to keep cool in the hot temperatures, a spokesperson said.

Predators are being fed blood-based ice lollies, otters are snacking on ice lollies made of frozen shrimp and crayfish and gorillas are hydrating with lollies made from fruit teas.

At Chester Zoo, Andean bears have been fed ice blocks to ensure they stay hydrated and keep cool.

The heat continued as people living in three villages in Kent experienced no water or low water pressure for the second day, BBC News reported.

The affected areas are Charing, Challock and Molash near Ashford, where people first reported water supply problems on Saturday evening.

South East Water (SEW) said the issue was resolved overnight, but added that water supply problems resumed at about 9.25am on Sunday because of “issues with the pumping station”.

The company has apologised to those who continue to be affected.