UK heatwave officially declared as temperatures top 32C on hottest day of the year

The Independent describes its reporting focus across reproductive rights, climate change, and Big Tech, emphasizing fact-checking and on-the-ground journalism. It states that donations fund journalists to speak to both sides and that reporting is accessible without paywalls. The UK experienced its hottest day of the year so far, with temperatures rising to 32.1C on Sunday. A heatwave was officially declared in eight locations in South East England after meeting thresholds of 27C for three consecutive days, with Santon Downham and Heathrow among the first to qualify. Monday is expected to reach 34C in Greater London and South East England, with temperatures continuing to climb in the region.

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"The UK has experienced its hottest day of the year so far, as temperatures soared to 32.1C on Sunday. A heatwave has officially been declared in eight locations in South East England, which have now met the threshold of 27C for three consecutive days of hot weather. The Met Office said that Santon Downham was the first location to meet the criteria at around 11:30 on Sunday, It was closely followed by Heathrow at around 11:50, whose criteria is three consecutive days at 28C."

"Speaking to the Press Association, a Met Office spokesperson said: We rarely see temperatures above 35C, even in the summer months, so to see temperatures getting close to 35 in May is, as I say, pretty historic. Saturday was the first time this year that the UK had passed 30C - the last time that happened in May was in"

Read at www.independent.co.uk