London Breaks UK May Heat Record Amid European Heatwave

Britain recorded its warmest May day ever on Monday, as temperatures soared to 34.8 degrees Celsius (94.6 Fahrenheit) in Kew Gardens, London. This heatwave marks an exceptional event for the United Kingdom, even during the peak summer months.

The Met Office, Britain's national weather service, noted on X that 13 locations across the UK exceeded the previous May record of 32.8 degrees Celsius. The service anticipates that new temperature records may be set again on Tuesday.

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This heat would have been exceptional in the UK even during midsummer.

Ireland also experienced record-breaking warmth, with Shannon Airport near Limerick registering 28.6 degrees Celsius, its highest temperature for a May day since measurements began. This marks a significant climatic event for the country.

Elsewhere in Western Europe, France is also grappling with unseasonably high temperatures. Several parts of Brittany are under a yellow heat warning, a measure issued by Météo France. The French weather authority stated that this is the first time a yellow heat warning has been issued in May since the system was established in 2004, underscoring the widespread nature of the extreme heat affecting the region.

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it is the first time a yellow heat warning has been issued in May since the system was created in 2004.