Britain has recorded its hottest day ever in May after temperatures soared to 33.5C near London during a severe early summer heatwave.
According to the Met Office, the new temperature surpassed the previous May record of 32.8C, which had stood since 1922 and was matched again in 1944.
The record-breaking heat was recorded near Heathrow Airport on Monday as heatwave conditions spread across southeast England and London.
“Temperatures at Heathrow have recently reached 33.5C, provisionally beating the all-time May record,” the Met Office said in a statement shared on social media.
The weather agency had earlier forecast temperatures as high as 35C, describing the conditions as highly unusual for the time of year.
“Records are usually only broken by tenths of a degree — making this heatwave unprecedented for the time of year,” the agency added.
Meteorologist Tom Morgan described the temperatures as historic, noting that Britain rarely experiences heat above 35C even during peak summer.
Monday was also expected to become the hottest bank holiday ever recorded in the UK.
Residents across the country struggled with the intense heat. Andrea Quaine, a London resident, said the temperatures were far above normal levels.
“It’s nice to have it, but it is much, much hotter than it should be in the UK,” she said, adding that the conditions highlighted the reality of global warming.
A 10-year-old visitor to London, Liza Nizari, described the weather as “really hot” as tourists and residents sought shade and cooling measures across the capital.
Scientists have repeatedly warned that climate change caused by human activity is increasing the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events such as heatwaves, droughts and flooding.
Last week, climate advisers cautioned the UK government that the country was “built for a climate that no longer exists,” urging authorities to strengthen infrastructure including schools and hospitals to cope with rising temperatures.
