UK weather forecasters expect temperatures to cool down across the country over the coming days following a record-breaking hot spell [1].

The shift in weather marks the end of an unprecedented heatwave that pushed May temperatures to historic levels, impacting public health and infrastructure across the region.

The UK Met Office said cooler air is moving in as the heatwave peaks [1]. While the overall trend is a decrease in temperature, some regions will remain warmer than average. Forecasters said highs of 28 °C are still likely for the South East [1].

This cooling period follows a period of extreme heat that shattered previous records. In west London, temperatures reached 34.8 °C [2] — the hottest May day ever recorded in the UK [3]. Other reports noted the temperature reached 34 °C in the same area [3].

The forecast for the coming days indicates a general decline in heat across the UK, including in Cornwall, South Yorkshire, and West Yorkshire [1]. The transition to cooler weather comes as the atmospheric conditions that drove the record-breaking temperatures begin to shift.

Forecasters said the cooling will be felt nationwide, though the pace of the temperature drop may vary by region [1]. The Met Office continues to monitor the movement of cooler air masses to determine how long the moderate temperatures will persist.

“Temperatures are expected to cool down across the UK in the coming days”

The occurrence of a 34.8 °C peak in May indicates a significant departure from historical norms for the UK. This volatility in spring temperatures suggests a potential shift in seasonal patterns, where extreme heat events occur earlier in the year, placing earlier pressure on energy grids and public health services accustomed to gradual warming.