Overview

• Kew Gardens recorded 29.3°C on May 1, surpassing the previous May 1 record of 27.4°C set in 1990.
• The Met Office confirmed this as the earliest instance of 30°C temperatures in May since records began in 1860.
• Despite soaring temperatures, the UK will not meet the criteria for an official heatwave, which requires three consecutive days above regional thresholds.
• Authorities issued warnings about wildfire risks and the dangers of open-water swimming, following an increase in related incidents and a recent drowning in Nottingham.
• High pressure is expected to weaken starting May 2, with temperatures forecast to drop significantly over the weekend to highs of 14°C to 18°C.