UK weather warning as extreme 'heat dome' traps scorching African air over Britain

The UK is facing its most intense May heatwave on record, with temperatures soaring to 35°C at Kew Gardens in London on Tuesday, surpassing the previous high of 32.8°C set in 1922 and 1944. The Met Office called the heat 'exceptional' even for midsummer, noting that records are typically broken by just fractions of a degree. The scorching conditions followed the warmest May night on record, with temperatures not dropping below 19.4°C. The heatwave is caused by a high-pressure system, or 'heat dome,' trapping warm air rising from North Africa over western Europe. Forecasters predict temperatures could remain near 35°C through the week, with much of the UK experiencing temperatures 10-15°C above average for May. Over half of the UK’s monthly temperature records—seven out of 12—have been set since 2003, according to Met Office data. The extreme heat is not isolated to the UK, as parts of Portugal may near 40°C, southern Spain could hit 38°C, and over 20 French towns have already set new May highs. Meteo-France has linked the increasing frequency of such events to climate change, while scientists warn the UK’s record-breaking temperatures serve as a stark reminder of the climate crisis’s growing impact. Health officials are advising the public to stay hydrated, avoid strenuous activity during peak heat, and check on elderly relatives. Infrastructure is also under strain, with reports of buckling rails and melting roads. Campaigners are urging the government to install air conditioning in schools and care homes to protect vulnerable populations from prolonged high temperatures. The heat dome is expected to linger before a potential shift later in the week, but forecasters caution that such extreme events may become more common in a warming world. The UK’s experience mirrors broader 'climate whiplash' across Europe, where temperatures have fluctuated dramatically in recent days.