Hawarden airport in Flintshire has secured its place in the history books after recording a staggering 32.2°C, making it the hottest May day ever recorded in Wales yesterday (Monday).
The milestone was part of an extraordinary bank holiday Monday that saw temperature records tumble across the United Kingdom.
The previous Welsh record for May, a high of 30.6C which had stood since 1944, was comfortably eclipsed as a plume of hot air sent the mercury soaring across North Wales.
BBC Wales weatherman Derek Brockway highlighted the nationwide scale of the heat on X yesterday, posting: “Latest highest temperatures for all four nations of the UK today. In Wales, 32.2°C at Hawarden airport, Flintshire.” Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now
A Met Office post on X said: “Wales has also provisionally recorded a new May record Hawarden Airport reached 32.2 Celsius, with the previous record being 30.6 Celsius at Newport in 1944.”
The heatwave reached its peak yesterday with the Met Office confirming that bank holiday Monday was a record-breaking day for the entire UK. Kew Gardens in London became the hottest spot in the country, reaching 34.8°C—the hottest UK day in May on record.
In addition the UK record for the highest daily minimum temperature in May was also provisionally broken. Temperatures didn’t fall below 21.3C overnight at Kenley Airfield, making it a ‘tropical night’ – no lower than 20°C, breaking the record set the day before 19.4C.
Forecasters described the conditions as “exceptional,” noting that the 34.8C peak at Kew Gardens exceeded the previous national May record by a full two degrees. In a statement, the Met Office said: “This heat would be exceptional in the UK even in mid summer, let alone in May.”
While the extreme heat has brought crowds to beaches and parks, it has also prompted health alerts. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued an amber heat-health alert, warning of significant impacts on health and social care services..
Today (Tuesday) is also set to be another hot day for North Wales with temperatures forecast to peak at 30C during the afternoon in the Wrexham area.
Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
