First Heat Wave of the Year Hits Parts of Britain

Forecasters have indicated that temperatures in Britain might reach unprecedented levels for May, potentially soaring to 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) in some regions. This forecasted peak could surpass the current May record of 32.8 degrees Celsius (91 degrees Fahrenheit) set in 1944, based on data from the Met Office, the United Kingdom’s official weather agency.

The Met Office characterized these temperatures as unprecedented for this time of year, emphasizing that temperature records rarely break by significant margins. The warm spell developed over the week, culminating in a major peak during the weekend, especially affecting England and Wales. On Saturday, southeast England experienced temperatures of 30.5 degrees Celsius (86.9 degrees Fahrenheit). The Met Office notes that temperatures over 30 degrees Celsius in May are unusual in Britain, with the last occurrence in 2012.

By Sunday, eight locations in southeast England met the country’s criteria for a heat wave after experiencing three continuous days of temperatures above the local thresholds. In Britain, a heat wave is officially declared when temperatures meet or exceed the local threshold for at least three consecutive days. This differs from the broader definition in the United States, where the National Weather Service describes a heat wave as a period of abnormally hot weather lasting more than two days.

The increase in temperatures highlights significant variances, with expected anomalies for May 25 reading several degrees above the average.

These forecasts are derived from the University of Maine Climate Change Institute and the National Centers for Environmental Prediction Global Forecast System and cover the period from May 24 to May 25, 2026. The averages are based on data collected between 1979 and 2000.