London hits record-breaking 35C as unusual May heatwave bakes Europe

London reached a record 35C on Tuesday, surpassing its previous May high of 32.8C set just one day prior. The UK’s Met Office confirmed the milestone, with Heathrow and Kew Gardens both hitting the temperature, marking the hottest May day on record. The heatwave, described as ‘unprecedentedly early,’ has also brought ‘tropical nights’ where temperatures fail to drop below 20C, a rare occurrence in May. Across Europe, the heatwave has shattered records, with France’s southwest hitting 36C and Spain’s Seville reaching 38C over the weekend. Météo-France attributed the extreme conditions to a ‘heat dome,’ trapping warmth 10C above typical May averages. France reported at least seven heat-related deaths, including drownings and fatalities in sports events. In the UK, the lack of air conditioning in homes and public transport has exacerbated the crisis, with London’s Underground facing disruptions and packed, sweltering trains. Four teenagers drowned in separate incidents since Sunday, while Scotland’s Arthur’s Seat saw firefighters battling a grass fire. Spain’s weather service noted temperatures 5–10C above normal for May, while Ireland recorded its warmest May day at 29.2C in County Carlow. Scientists link the early heatwave to human-caused climate change, warning of more frequent and intense extreme weather events. The UK’s infrastructure, including non-air-conditioned trains and older buildings, has struggled under the strain, highlighting vulnerabilities as temperatures rise earlier each year.