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    33.5 °C and still rising - Hottest May day on record

12:29
25 May 2026

33.5 °C and still rising
Hottest May day on record

Heat map centered on London showing intense red temperatures across southeast England, with Heathrow highlighted at 33.5°C and nearby cities around 30–32°C.
A new record temperature for the month of May.

It's officially the hottest May day in recorded history after a reading of 33.5 °C in London on Monday.

This high was recorded just after midday, before temperatures reach their peak meaning the final record-high will inch even higher. This passes the existing high of 32.8 °C.

Not only is it the hottest day in May, it's also a new record for any bank holiday Monday, besting the high of 33.3 °C on the August bank holiday in 2019.

Across the UK, heatwave thresholds have been met. Despite the heat there, in Ireland highs are still lower with a high of around 27 °C in Limerick on Monday.

Temperatures must surpass 25 °C for five consecutive days on the Emerald Isle for a heatwave to be declared which is not going to happen. The warmth breaks there on Thursday.

To make the sticky conditions worse, there are water shortages in some areas. In Kent, bottled water stations have been set up with around 500 properties with no water supply.

Daily highs of around 33 °C are expected on the bank holiday Monday with many people out in the strong sunshine. Keep hydrated and apply plenty of sunscreen!

Staying sun safe in the heatwaveread more
Ryan Hathaway
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