An Unusually Early Heat Wave Breaks Temperature Records Across Western Europe
Key takeaways
- Right after it came out, the U.K. recorded its hottest day on record for the month of May.
- The temperature at Kew Gardens in London on Monday hit nearly 95 degrees Fahrenheit, more than 30 degrees higher than average for this time of year.
- Other countries, including France and Spain, are seeing similar highs amid an unusually early heat wave in Western Europe.
Why this matters: environmental and climate reporting with long-term consequences.
May 26, 2026 Share This Article Republish. An unusually early heat wave hit the U.K. in May 2026. Credit: Adrian DENNIS / AFP via Getty Images Related Fire in the ‘Galapagos of North America’ Risks Species Found Nowhere Else An Unusual Heat Wave Strains the World’s Most Populous Country Drought Turns Southeastern US Into ‘Tinderbox’ as Wildfires Rage Share This Article Republish Most Popular Malnourished Gray Whales of the Eastern North Pacific Are in ‘Serious Trouble’ In Florida, an Agricultural Town in Need of an Economic Boost Eyes Hyperscale Data Centers A Bit of Good News for Right Whales Extreme heat is one of the most dangerous climate change risks in the United Kingdom, according to a new government-backed report that warned the nation is “built for a climate that no longer exists.”
Right after it came out, the U.K. recorded its hottest day on record for the month of May.
The temperature at Kew Gardens in London on Monday hit nearly 95 degrees Fahrenheit, more than 30 degrees higher than average for this time of year. Tuesday broke the record once again, with the temperature inching up a bit more to 95.2 degrees.