When the heatwave finally ends as UK records first-ever 'tropical night'

The UK experienced its first-ever 'tropical night' on May 28, as temperatures at Kenley Airfield in south London remained above 21.3C throughout the night, setting a new record for the highest daily minimum in May. The Met Office confirmed a heatwave across eight locations in southeast England, following a prolonged period of extreme heat, with temperatures soaring into the high 20s and low 30s Celsius. The heatwave follows the UK's hottest May Day on record, with temperatures reaching 34.8C in Kew Gardens. The UK Health Security Agency issued amber heat-health alerts for five regions in England, warning of increased pressure on health and social care services, particularly for those aged 65 and over or with underlying health conditions. The agency cautioned that high temperatures could lead to a rise in deaths. While temperatures are expected to gradually decline from midweek, highs will remain in the 20s Celsius until Sunday, May 31. The Met Office forecasts temperatures peaking at 35C in London, the Home Counties, and Cambridgeshire on Tuesday, with widespread areas of eastern, southern, and central England also exceeding 30C. By Sunday, London is expected to see temperatures of 24C, while northern regions like Glasgow and Plymouth may drop to around 18C. Experts warn that such extreme spring heatwaves are likely to become more common due to climate change. Professor Chris Brierley, Professor of Climate Science at University College London, stated that Britain should expect more frequent May heatwaves as global temperatures rise. The Met Office heatwave threshold remains at 25C for Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, and northern England, while southern and southeast England require temperatures of 26C or 27C for three consecutive days to trigger an official heatwave.