Home
Weather London
WeatherRadar
RainfallRadar
TemperatureRadar
WindRadar
LightningRadar
Weather News
Editor's Pick
Discover the app
Weather widget
Contact us
Apps
Career
    Home / Editor's Pick /

    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
More on the topic
The Perseids reach their peak. Shooting stars overhead. . . Tuesday, 11 August 2026
Shooting stars in the night sky
Tuesday, 11 August 2026

Shooting stars overhead

The Perseids reach their peak
Cooler nights on the horizon. For parts of Europe. . . Thursday, 6 August 2026
Temperature Radar showing the night-time lows in Central Europe. Cooler air is reaching the west and north in particular, whilst the south-east remains significantly warmer.
Thursday, 6 August 2026

For parts of Europe

Cooler nights on the horizon
Poor harvest expected after drought. Rain remains scarce. . . Thursday, 6 August 2026
Split image showing an aerial view of drought-stricken parkland with dry yellow-brown grass surrounding a church on the left, and a temperature map of England and Wales on the right with temperatures reaching 30°C in southeast England.
Thursday, 6 August 2026

Rain remains scarce

Poor harvest expected after drought
All weather news
This might also interest you
Turbulent weather in the Canary Islands. Storm and rain. . . Friday, 12 December 2025
Weather graphic showing rain and wind fields over the Canary Islands and a central warning symbol.
Friday, 12 December 2025

Storm and rain

Turbulent weather in the Canary Islands
Historic Storm Éowyn arrives. On this day.... . . Saturday, 24 January 2026
Split image showing a person in a yellow jacket struggling against strong winds and heavy rain on a street at night on the left, and an Irish wind forecast map on the right with red and purple shading, gusts up to 75 mph, and a wind warning icon, divided by a curved white line.
Saturday, 24 January 2026

On this day...

Historic Storm Éowyn arrives
Bright and warm conditions take hold. Spring-like outlook. . . Thursday, 23 April 2026
Split UK map showing warm temperatures up to 21 degrees in orange on the left and clear sunny conditions with temperatures from 12 to 18 degrees on the right, with sun icons across the country.
Thursday, 23 April 2026

Spring-like outlook

Bright and warm conditions take hold
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwittertikToklinkList