Record-breaking May temperatures are being repeatedly broken across Western Europe, especially in France and the UK, which are experiencing a persistent and very intense heatwave.
Temperatures in London reached up to 35°C — extremely high not only for May but even for summer months — while in France thermometers locally reached 39°C.
Meteorologists stress that the heatwave is “completely unprecedented”. In any case, it is the hottest May ever recorded in both Britain and France.
Crowds seeking relief in Amsterdam
High temperatures in Rome as well
Over 30°C in Paris
Looking for shade in Bilbao
Tuesday already broke the record for the hottest May day, with 35.1°C at Kew Gardens near London, surpassing the previous record of 34.8°C recorded at the same site just a day earlier. The previous highest temperature there was 32.8°C recorded in 1922 and 1944.
In other parts of southeast England, temperatures stayed above 34°C for two consecutive days. Night-time temperatures are also unusually high: in some places they remain above 20°C throughout the night, a phenomenon known as a “tropical night”.
Meteorologists expect very high temperatures to continue on Thursday, with relief expected from Friday onwards.
Temperatures above seasonal norms, more reminiscent of August, are also being recorded in Spain, especially inland areas such as Salamanca and Bilbao.
Kew Gardens recording 35.1ºC today breaks its previous May record in 1922 before this spell by NEARLY 5ºC and breaks its June maximum temperature record set in 1976 by 0.5ºC – this also beats the previous May UK maximum record by OVER 2ºC (32.8ºC, 1922/44). An incredible anomaly pic.twitter.com/p1KYTFYdA6
— MetJam (@MetJam_) May 26, 2026
So far in Britain and France, more than 10 drownings have been recorded among people trying to cool off in lakes and reservoirs. In the UK alone, seven children and teenagers and two adults aged 60–70 have died.
Authorities remind the public that despite the heat, water temperatures remain low and cold-water shock can put swimmers in serious danger.
Last summer in Britain, around 1,500 people died due to heatwaves. Authorities warn that hundreds more deaths are likely this year as well, mainly among people with underlying conditions (especially respiratory) or those living in overheated homes.
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