Wales' 'hottest May day ever' recorded at 33C after years
Wales provisionally recorded its hottest May day ever at 32.9C in Cardiff’s Bute Park, surpassing previous records by over 15C above the late-May average, while the UK saw consecutive May temperature records broken, with Kew Gardens reaching 35.1C. The Met Office attributes the extreme heat to climate change, which has made such events three times more likely, and issued health warnings for vulnerable groups amid forecasts of continued high temperatures and thunderstorms.
Wales experienced its hottest May day on record when temperatures hit 32.9C at Cardiff’s Bute Park, exceeding the late-May average by over 15C. The previous May record for Wales had been broken just 24 hours earlier, highlighting the intensity of the heatwave gripping the UK. The heatwave shattered national records, with Kew Gardens in London reaching 35.1C on Tuesday, marking the second consecutive day the UK’s May temperature record was provisionally broken. Heathrow also recorded 35.0C, while areas across London, the Midlands, and East Anglia saw temperatures above 33C. The Met Office called the conditions 'exceptional late-spring heat.' Forecasters predict temperatures of 32–33C in parts of south-west England, with London expected to hit 32C on Thursday before cooling slightly. Wales will continue to face warm, humid weather before returning to seasonal norms. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued Amber and Yellow heat health alerts, warning of risks to older adults and those with pre-existing health conditions. Kenley Airfield in south London recorded a minimum overnight temperature of 21.3C, setting a new UK record for the highest daily May minimum. Met Office scientists linked the extreme heat to climate change, noting that breaking the previous UK May record of 32.8C is now three times more likely due to greenhouse gas emissions. A recent study in the *Weather* journal confirmed this trend, alongside a long-term rise in UK May temperatures since the late 19th century. A yellow thunderstorm warning was active on Tuesday evening, with further storms expected as the heat persists across England and Wales. The Met Office and UKHSA advised the public to stay out of direct sunlight, keep indoor spaces cool, and check on vulnerable individuals during the heatwave. Full May 2026 data will be released in early June, but experts view these records as part of a broader pattern of increasing extreme heat events.
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