UMVA has learned that a severe heatwave has gripped the UK, shattering records for the warmest temperature in May as thousands flocked to local beaches to escape the scorching heat.
The mercury soared to a sizzling 34.8℃ in Kew Gardens, south-west London, a full two degrees Celsius higher than the previous benchmark, leaving residents and tourists alike seeking refuge in the shade and cooling off with ice cream and cold drinks.
Heathrow in west London also reached scorching temperatures of 33.5℃, as the bank holiday weekend turned into a scorcher, with Sunday witnessing the country's highest May temperature in at least 79 years, and last night recording the warmest May night on record.
This heatwave has been deemed 'unprecedented' by meteorologists, who point to a combination of factors, including a waft of hot air from Africa, high pressure dominance, and the effects of climate change, which is causing temperatures to rise to levels previously unseen in the UK during Spring.
As the heatwave intensifies, parts of the UK are expected to get even hotter, with highs of 34C or 35C forecast in the South and South East, prompting concerns about water supply issues, with around 500 properties in Sussex and Kent facing disruptions.
A 'heatdome' has been identified as the cause of the heatwave, which is being felt across Europe, as warm air becomes trapped under a high-pressure system, a phenomenon that is becoming more common due to climate change, according to weather experts.
The Met Office has confirmed that conditions for a heatwave have been met in eight parts of England, including Heathrow, Kew Gardens, and other areas in London, Suffolk, Essex, and Oxfordshire, as the UK braces for continued hot weather.
As the nation struggles to cope with the extreme temperatures, residents are seeking ways to stay cool, from enjoying ice cream on Westminster Bridge to queuing for bottled water at stations set up in affected areas, a testament to the country's determination to weather the heatwave.
