The Met Office forecasts that temperatures in parts of England could reach 35 °C this Tuesday [1], [2], [3].
This surge of heat follows a record-breaking Monday, marking the hottest May day on record for the UK [7]. The persistence of these extreme temperatures during the spring month signals a significant deviation from typical seasonal norms, raising concerns over public health and infrastructure stress.
On Monday, a temperature of 34.8 °C was recorded at Heathrow in London [4], [5]. This reading established a new benchmark for the month, surpassing previous records. While some reports indicated a temperature of 33.5 °C near London [6], the higher reading at Heathrow is the current verified peak for the period.
Forecasters said the current weather is the result of a heatwave characterized by high-pressure systems and warm air masses moving across the region [8], [9], [10]. These conditions are expected to persist through Tuesday, with the possibility of 35 °C being reached in several areas [1], [8].
Local authorities and weather services are monitoring the situation as the heatwave continues. The combination of high daytime temperatures and the potential for "tropical nights" — where temperatures remain high after sunset — has put the UK on alert for further record-breaking events [11].
The Met Office said the current atmospheric patterns are producing unusually high temperatures for May. The focus remains on the London area and surrounding regions, which have borne the brunt of the heat surge this week [1], [11].
“Temperatures in parts of England could reach 35 °C this Tuesday.”
The occurrence of multiple record-breaking days within a single week in May suggests an intensifying trend of early-season heatwaves in the UK. When temperatures reach 35 °C in spring, it often indicates a shift in atmospheric pressure patterns that can lead to prolonged drought conditions or increased volatility in summer weather patterns.
