Britain is experiencing unprecedented heat as the nation braces for its first-ever ‘tropical night’ in May. Temperatures today soared past 32 degrees Celsius, putting this month on course to become the warmest May in recorded history.
Sunseekers flocked to beaches, parks, and scenic spots, enjoying the sweltering conditions that have pushed the mercury beyond 30 degrees Celsius for two consecutive days—an unusual occurrence for this time of year that rivals the heat in some parts of North Africa.
Heathrow emerged as the hottest location in the country, with temperatures peaking at 32.1 degrees Celsius (89.8 degrees Fahrenheit) by 5 PM, according to the Met Office.
Forecasts suggest the temperature could climb to a scorching 34 degrees Celsius (93.2 degrees Fahrenheit) in the sticky South East over the next couple of days. This would surpass the previous May record of 32.8 degrees Celsius (91.04 degrees Fahrenheit) set in 1944.
Even areas further north, such as Middlesbrough, are expected to see temperatures reach 30 degrees Celsius tomorrow—comparable to the climate in locations like Barbados and Cairo.
The phenomenon of a ‘tropical night’—where overnight temperatures do not dip below 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit)—is anticipated for the first time in London and the South East tonight and again tomorrow night, marking a historic weather milestone for the region.
Such events are more common in Mediterranean resorts or places within the tropics – and typically only happen in the UK for a small number of days during summer heatwaves rather than in a month still classed as spring.
According to the Meteorological Office, hot temperatures at night can interfere with the body’s recovery processes, ‘potentially leading to increased cardiovascular stress and sleep disturbances’.
Packed scenes at Bournemouth beach for a second day of the Bank Holiday weekend
Thousands of people also took to Weymouth beach amid exceptional May heat
Animals at London Zoo who are used to milder temperatures have been given ice lollipops to keep cool in the boiling hot temperatures.
Meanwhile, at Chester Zoo, Andean bears have been fed ice blocks to ensure they stay hydrated and keep cool.
There were crowded scenes today as thousands of people flocked to beaches including at Weymouth, Dorset, while sunbathers cooled off by diving into the River Great Ouse, in Bedfordshire.
Amid the warm weather yesterday, youths apparently pictured inhaling so-called ‘hippy crack’ were among thousands at Bournemouth beach.
The current heatwave is the first time since UK temperatures have hit the thirties since 2012.
In its blog, the Meteorological Office said yesterday: ‘While reaching 30C (86F) in May is rare, the UK has experienced some high temperatures during the month.
‘The highest temperature recorded in May is 32.8C, with several notable occurrences.
‘These include readings at Camden Square and Greenwich in Greater London during May 1922, as well as across parts of southeast England including Tunbridge Wells and Horsham during late May 1944.’
Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster, Steve Kocher, said: ‘It is likely that the May and Spring UK temperature records will be broken over the Bank Holiday weekend.’
Forecasters added prior to 2012 and another spell when 30C temperatures were reached in May 2005, ‘early-season warm spells have occurred intermittently across the 20th century’.
Sunbathers leap into the River Great Ouse at Great Barford, Bedforshire, to cool off
A woman wears an umbrella for a hat at the Napoleonic Living History Weekend at Chiltern Open Air Museum
Among the closest-together years with very hot May months exceeding 30C were 1944, 1945, 1947 and 1953.
Forecasters said ‘May 30C events are sporadic rather than regular, typically separated by many years’.
However, the Met Office predicted they may be becoming ‘more common in the UK as the summers get increasingly hot’.
Fine weather is predicted for the whole week ahead – continuing into the weekend for most areas – bringing sunny skies for families enjoying half term staycations.
The only exception is set to be on Wednesday, when it could be cloudier for a time, and in the far west on Friday and Saturday where cloud could again build up.
Forecasters also said that with ‘relatively low sea surface temperatures there is also likely to be some low cloud and sea fog clinging closely to western coasts’.
The warm weather was officially declared a heatwave in the South East this afternoon after weather stations in London, Oxfordshire, Essex and Suffolk passed the benchmark of hitting 27C (81F) on three consecutive days.
The UK Health Security Agency said its heat health alert would continue apply until 5pm on Wednesday, with an amber alert covering the East Midlands, East of England, London, South East and West Midlands.
North West, North East, South West and Yorkshire and the Humber are encompassed by a yellow alert.
The alert is aimed to be an ‘early warning to the health and social care sector, the responder community, the voluntary and community sector and government departments’ dealing with groups of people more vulnerable to hot weather.
