UK records heatwave as parts of England hit record highs for May

Parts of the UK have entered official heatwave conditions as temperatures rose to levels near May records. Santon Downham in Suffolk was the first area to meet the threshold, recording temperatures above 27C for three consecutive days. Other areas now in heatwave conditions include Heathrow, Kew Gardens, and Northolt in London; Benson in Oxfordshire; Brooms Barn in Suffolk; and High Beach and Writtle in Essex. Forecasts indicate further warming, with highs around 31C in the south-east and possible peaks of 33C to 34C on Monday. The climate crisis increases the likelihood of extreme heat, and western Europe is also seeing similar peaks. The Met Office says a 32.8C May record is about three times more likely now than before the Industrial Revolution.

"The first area of the UK to hit the threshold was Santon Downham in Suffolk, which reached the criteria of recording temperatures of more than 27C for three consecutive days at 11.30am on Sunday. The other areas now officially in heatwave conditions are: Heathrow, Kew Gardens and Northolt, all in London; Benson in Oxfordshire; Brooms Barn in Suffolk; and High Beach and Writtle, both in Essex."

"Temperatures could rise again, with highs of 31C predicted in the south-east, and further on Monday, when peaks of between 33C and 34C are possible. Large parts of western Europe are experiencing similar peaks, with Meteo-France, the French national weather forecaster, warning periods of exceptional heat are expected to come more and more often and more and more prematurely, and to be more and more intense."

"A Met Office spokesperson said: Breaking the 32.8C May record is around three times more likely now in our current climate than it would have been in natural climate conditions before the Industrial Revolution. What was around a one-in-100-year event is now around a one-in-33-year event."

"A Met Office meteorologist Jonathan Vautrey said there would be plentiful amounts of sunshine in many parts of the UK on Sunday, bringing temperatures upwards of 30C. If we hit that 33C, maybe even locally close towards 34C, that would bring us our hottest bank holiday day on record, as well as our hottest day in May on record, Vautrey said."

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