The figure is the highest daily maximum temperature recorded in meteorological spring (March, April and May), as well as the highest temperature in May.

The previous record of 32.8°C was reached in 1922 and 1944. If confirmed and validated, and May sees a new official daily temperature record, it would mean that more than half of the monthly record highs - 7 out of 12 - have been set since 2003.

The record was also surpassed at Heathrow, Greater London (34.4°C); Northolt, Greater London (34.2°C); Teddington Bushy Park, Middlesex (34.0°C), Benson, Oxfordshire (33.6°C); Wisley, Surrey (33.3°C); Reading University, Berkshire (33.2°C); Wellesbourne, Warwickshire (33.2°C); Cippenham, Berkshire (33.0°C); Brize Norton, Oxfordshire (32.9°C); Charlwood, Surrey (32.9°C); Houghton Hall, Norfolk (32.9°C) and Santon Downham, Suffolk (32.9°C). The record was equalled at Marham, Norfolk and Woburn, Bedfordshire.

The Wales May temperature record was also surpassed as Hawarden Airport, Clwyd, recorded 32.2°C. The previous record was 30.6°C at Newport, Monmouthshire, on 29 May 1944.

Met Office Chief Operational Meteorologist Dan Suri said: “We’ve now provisionally broken the spring and May temperature record. Meteorologically, what we’ve seen is the influence of warmth building under an area of high pressure near the UK allowing exceptional heat to build allowing maximum and minimum temperatures to reach levels not previously reported at this time of year.

“Further heat is in the forecast for much of England and Wales, with similar temperatures forecast for Tuesday. High pressure is forecast to gradually lose its influence later in the week, though maximum temperatures will still remain high and in the low 30°Cs for some mid-week and high 20°Cs late this week.”

As is the case for new national records, the equipment and site will undergo a rigorous validation process before a decision is made on officially inducting the figure into the meteorological record books.

This process will include a site inspection and a verification check of the equipment used to measure the temperature.

In order for a value to be treated as an official national record, the Met Office follows national and international best practice and guidance. If the figure doesn’t meet the required standards, it will be rejected as an official national record.

May heat and climate change

A climate attribution study published last summer by Met Office scientists found that the chances of surpassing the May temperature record have been increasing as our climate changes as a consequence of human greenhouse gas emissions.

The study found that breaking the 32.8°C May record is around three times more likely now in our current climate than it would have been in a natural climate not impacted by greenhouse gas emissions. What was around a 1-in-100 year event is now around a 1-in-33 year event.  

You can read the full research in the Royal Meteorological Society’s Journal ‘Weather’.

In addition to daily station temperatures, the influence of climate change can also be observed in mean temperatures for the UK as a whole over the month of May. According to the HadUK-Grid dataset, with data back to 1884, the mean UK temperature for May has been tending to increase over recent decades, albeit with year-to-year variability.

Graph showing UK mean temperature for May from 1884 to 2025. There is annual variation with an notable rise since around the 1980s.

UK Mean temperature for May from 1884 to 2025. The brown line shows the 2025 value and the red dashed line shows 2024, which is currently the highest on record. May 2026 statistics will be available in early June.  

Further warmth in the forecast

The start of the week will see the heatwave continue for much of England and Wales with temperatures well above average. Tuesday will be another very hot day, with a rapid rise in temperatures through the morning. A peak of 35°C is again expected in London, the Home Counties and Cambridgeshire. More widely temperatures exceeding 30°C will again be reached across eastern Wales, and eastern, southern and central England away from immediate coastal areas.

The heat will continue through the week, with highs of 31°C forecast for Wednesday, 30°C on Thursday, 27°C on Friday and 28°C on Saturday.

The UK Health Security Agency, which looks specifically at potential health impacts, currently has Amber and Yellow Heat Health Alerts in force.

As people prepare to meet up with friends and family to enjoy the sun, the British Red Cross is offering guidance that can help everyone stay safe.

Dafydd Beech, National Community Education Manager at the British Red Cross, said: “As we come into the summer months, warm weather gives us a chance to get out a bit more and enjoy ourselves. It’s important to take care while you have fun with friends and family to avoid becoming dehydrated, getting sun burn or even heat stroke. 

“Getting into the habit of taking steps whenever temperatures rise can really help. It can be simple things like wearing sunscreen, drinking plenty of fluids or ensuring you take breaks from the sun. Building these habits early means people are better prepared if hotter weather lasts longer.”

Find more tips on enjoying the summer safely weather through WeatherReady.

You can find the latest forecast on our website, on YouTube, by following us on X and Facebook, as well as on our mobile app which is available for iPhone from the App store and for Android from the Google Play store.   

Sun setting over sand dunes.