UK records second consecutive hottest May day at 35°C

The United Kingdom has broken its record for the hottest May day for the second consecutive day, with provisional temperatures reaching 35.0 degrees Celsius at Heathrow Airport and Kew Gardens in London on Tuesday. This follows Monday's provisional all-time hottest meteorological spring temperature of 34.8 degrees Celsius recorded at Kew Gardens, surpassing a previous May record of 32.8 degrees Celsius that had stood since 1922.

The exceptional late-spring heatwave, which began over the bank holiday weekend, has prompted extensive official warnings. The UK Health Security Agency has extended amber heat-health alerts for several regions, including London, the South West, South East, East and West Midlands, until Thursday evening. These alerts indicate significant impacts on health services and a likely rise in mortality rates, particularly among vulnerable populations. Yellow heat-health alerts remain in place for the North West and North East.

The Met Office has also issued a yellow weather warning for isolated but severe thunderstorms across large parts of England, effective from Tuesday afternoon until evening. The warning covers regions including the East Midlands, Eastern...