Tuesday's temperature reading surpassed the 34.8°C also recorded at Kew Gardens on Monday 25 May 2026. The previous record to that was 32.8°C which was reached in 1922 and 1944.

Heathrow recorded 35.0°C, also surpassing the Monday recording at Kew Gardens.

The Wales May temperature record was also surpassed again for the second day as 32.9°C was recorded at Cardiff, Bute Park.

The top ten temperature observations from Tuesday 26 May are as follows:

  • 35.1°C - Kew Gardens, Greater London
  • 35.0°C - Heathrow, Greater London  
  • 34.7°C - Teddington, Bushy Park, Middlesex
  • 34.5°C - Santon Downham, Suffolk
  • 34.4°C - Northolt, Greater London
  • 34.1°C - Cippenham,  Berkshire
  • 34.1°C - Wellesbourne, Warwickshire
  • 33.8°C - Wisley, Surrey         
  • 33.7°C - High Beach, Essex 
  • 33.6°C - Astwood Bank, Hereford & Worcester        

Overnight, the record for the highest daily minimum temperature for May was also broken for a third consecutive night.

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.

Further warmth in the forecast

The heatwave will continue for much of England and Wales with temperatures well above average.

On Wednesday cloud and a developing easterly flow will lead to a reduction in temperature highs for many areas. The highest temperatures will be further west in southwestern England where 32-33°C could be recorded.

Highs of 32°C are forecast for Thursday in around London and the East Midlands, on Friday highs could reach 30°C in London and East Anglia and on Saturday 29°C is currently forecast around London and Kent.

By Sunday the warmest air is expected to have cleared away to the south with temperatures closer, though mostly above, average for the time of year for the whole of the UK.

Met Office Chief Forecaster Andy Page said: “The exceptional late-spring heat is set to continue for much of this week.

“Last night provisionally recorded the warmest May night on record, and we’re likely to see further very warm nights in the south over the coming days. There is a chance a few places will experience a ‘tropical night’ in the south of England and in Wales tonight, which is where temperatures don’t fall below 20°C.

“While many places will stay dry and sunny, the heat and humidity mean that a few isolated thunderstorms have developed with more possibly developing later today, particularly across parts of England. Looking further ahead, the focus for the highest temperatures will shift westwards on Wednesday, with northern areas feeling more of the warmth on Thursday.

“We’ll then see a gradual change later in the week, with temperatures easing slightly, though still above average, before a more marked change to near-normal temperatures by Sunday and an increased chance of showers and some longer spells of rain.”

Heat impacts on health

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

Dr Anya Gopfert, Consultant in Health Protection at UKHSA, said: “We know that even moderate heat can lead to serious health problems, especially for older people and those with certain health conditions, so it’s important that everyone takes simple precautions while enjoying the warm weather over the coming days.

“If you have friends, family or neighbours who are more vulnerable, it is important to check in on them and ensure they are aware of the forecasts and are following the necessary advice.”

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

Ashley Jones, Head of Water Safety & Education at Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), said: “It’s important people don’t underestimate the risks associated with entering open water. Even during a heatwave, water will remain dangerously cold, and cold water shock is a very real danger. Sudden immersion can cause an involuntary gasp, rapid breathing and panic, which can quickly lead to a loss of control in the water - even for strong swimmers.

"We’re urging the public to choose lifeguarded locations wherever possible, where safety measures and supervision are in place. If you are spending time near water with children, always supervise them closely, keep them within arm’s reach, and consider dressing them in brightly coloured swimwear to improve visibility.

"Open water environments are very different from controlled swimming areas. There may be hidden hazards beneath the surface, strong currents, and colder temperatures that can seriously affect your ability to swim. It’s vital to respect your limits, avoid swimming alone, and talk to your family about water safety before you visit.

"If you see someone in trouble, don’t be tempted to enter the water to rescue them. Instead, call 999, encourage them to float on their back, and throw something that floats to assist them. Taking simple precautions can help prevent tragedies and ensure everyone stays safe while enjoying the water during warmer weather.”

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.

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