Britain has shattered the hottest May day record for the second consecutive day as the heatwave tightens its grip on England and Wales — but the soaring temperatures have brought tragedy, with a fourth teenager now confirmed dead after getting into difficulty in open water since the hot spell began.
A temperature of 35C was provisionally recorded at both Heathrow and Kew Gardens on Tuesday, according to the Met Office — surpassing Monday’s record of 34.8C at Kew Bridge, which had already broken the previous May record of 32.8C set in 1922 and 1944. It is the first time in modern meteorological records that the UK has broken its hottest May day mark on back-to-back days.
The warmth that has drawn millions outdoors has, however, proved fatal for young people seeking to cool down in rivers, lakes and reservoirs. A fourth teenager has now died in open water since the Bank Holiday weekend, adding to a deeply distressing toll that emergency services and water safety charities are urgently warning could rise further.
Water safety experts have consistently warned that the danger of open water during heatwaves is widely underestimated. The apparent warmth of the air masks the reality that rivers, lakes and reservoirs remain significantly colder beneath the surface — cold enough to trigger cold water shock, which can cause an involuntary gasp reflex, muscle cramps and rapid incapacitation even in strong swimmers. Unseen currents, submerged debris and sudden drops in depth add further hidden dangers.
The Royal Life Saving Society has urged anyone tempted to cool off in open water to do so gradually rather than jumping or diving in, and to use supervised and designated swimming sites wherever possible.
The heatwave has also prompted travel disruption, with at least one train operator cancelling services to “help minimise potential disruption” as infrastructure comes under strain from the sustained heat on the rail network.
Tuesday also brought the warmest May night on record, following Monday’s peak temperatures. The Met Office expects the heat to continue with highs of 33C on Wednesday, before a gradual easing towards the weekend — with Atlantic systems expected to bring unsettled conditions from the end of next week.
The UK Health Security Agency has amber and yellow heat-health alerts in place across England, warning that the extreme conditions could cause a rise in deaths, particularly among the elderly and those with underlying health conditions.
