A historic heatwave has ushered in the new month, with the UK experiencing its hottest start to May since records began.
According to the Met Office, temperatures soared to a blistering 29.3°C (84.7°F) on Thursday at Kew Gardens in London, smashing the previous May 1st record of 27.4°C set in Lossiemouth, Scotland, in 1990.
Much of the UK basked in unseasonably warm weather, with southern England experiencing heat usually reserved for midsummer. Meanwhile, cooler conditions prevailed across Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Meteorologists attribute the sudden spike in temperatures to a “blocked” area of high pressure settled over the British Isles, funneling warm, dry air from the southeast.
The persistent pattern not only drove Thursday’s record but also made it the hottest day of the year so far, edging out the previous high of 26.7°C recorded earlier in the week in Wisley, Surrey.
London was warmer than traditional European hot spots, including Athens and Rome, drawing crowds to parks, riversides, and open-air cafes.
The Met Office also revealed that April 2025 was the sunniest April ever recorded in the UK since data collection began in 1910.
The mean temperature — a combination of daytime highs and nighttime lows — ranked third highest since 1884.
In terms of rainfall, the UK saw just over 50% of the average monthly precipitation, further confirming the exceptional dryness that has defined the spring season.
Authorities are urging the public to stay hydrated and take precautions against heat-related illnesses as the hot spell continues into the weekend.
