The record for the UK's hottest May day has been broken, with temperatures of 34C in Heathrow and Teddington in London - the other heat records set today
The hottest May day in Wales has also been recorded, and Scotland and Northern Ireland have had their hottest days of the year so far
But the sun isn't shining everywhere, with grey skies and spots of rain over the Shetland Islands
Around 500 properties in Sussex and Kent are without water or have intermittent supply - South East Water says it's due to "increased demand"
Amber heat health alerts are in place for large parts of England until Wednesday. UV levels are unusually high too
You've been sending us your pictures: we've had dogs in sunglasses, a llama in a paddling pool, and a red squirrel perched in the sun
Are you enjoying the warm weather - or is it too hot? Email yourvoice@bbc.co.uk, external or upload your pictures and videos here
A new high of 34.8C has been recorded at London's Kew Gardens, according to the Met Office.
That exceeds the 34.0C recorded earlier today in the capital - at Heathrow and in Teddington, and makes it the new record for the UK's hottest May day.
With the temperature now into the 30Cs at Wembley Stadium, fans taking in the League Two play-off final between Salford City and Notts County are feeling the heat in the capital.
David Beckham's among those seeking shade - he's cheering on Salford, who he co-owns alongside other Manchester United legends.
To manage the impact of the temperature, players have been taking water breaks during each half, as they compete for promotion in sweltering conditions.
As the final whistle approaches, it's Notts County's players who've been keeping their cool the best - the Magpies lead 3-0.
Image source, PA Media
Image source, PA Media
Image source, PA Media
Image source, PA MediaClaire Quinn
Northern Ireland reporter
Many sun seekers in Northern Ireland regularly flock to the seaside town of Helen’s Bay in County Down, and this Bank Holiday Monday has been no exception.
The Carvalho family tells the BBC the weather is a “surprise” so dad Freddy took a day off and they took a trip to the beach.
Meanwhile friends Claire Dummigan and Niamh Query brought with them a seaside picnic, including some non-alcoholic beverages.
“We try to get down on a regular basis, it’s just such a beautiful part of the country,” Niamh says.
“We’re just so happy to be here on the beach and have this glorious weather.”
Claire says she has plans to “jump in the sea very soon, have a lovely picnic and enjoy the sun while it’s here”.
She admits getting into the sea is “hard” given the average NI temperatures, but when you “come out you feel a million dollars – it just completely resets you”.
Meanwhile Kathryn Millar is enjoying the day at the beach looking after her grandchildren.
She says this warm weather was “unusual for Northern Ireland”.
“It’s just fabulous – three months of this would be great”,” she says.
Cameron Angus-Mackay
Reporting from Shetland
Konrad, from Stoke-on-Trent - which is seeing temperatures of about 30C today - is instead experiencing the 11C of Shetland
While we've just summarised the baking temperatures across most of the UK, it's only 11.0C in Shetland this afternoon.
Around Lerwick harbour, low cloud and a cool sea breeze contrast with other parts of the UK.
The far north has seen only a handful of warm sunny days this May - there was even a flurry of heavy snow at the start of the month.
Konrad, from Stoke-on-Trent - which is currently sitting at about 30C - is visiting Lerwick because his brother-in-law is filming the next series of BBC crime drama Shetland.
"It's my first time here. It would have been nicer to have had warmer weather," he says, but adds that he did expect it to be both "wetter and windier."
Image source, PA MediaIt's a record-breaking spell of hot weather across large parts of the UK - here's a look at all the records broken so far.
As temperatures break new records across the UK, everyone - from dogs to ducks - is trying to keep cool.
From going for a splash or staying hydrated, to slathering on the sunscreen, we've seen a variety of strategies on display in photos coming in to us from BBC Weather Watchers.
Image source, BBC Weather Watchers | UlaniThis dog has found a good spot for a splash in Christchurch, Dorset
Image source, BBC Weather Watchers | Yen MilneA wise combination for a hot day in Fareham, Hampshire
Image source, BBC Weather Watchers | Stan DrewBeachgoers making for the water in St Andrews, Fife
Image source, BBC Weather Watchers | DannyMcGuiganGeese and their goslings out in the sun in Belfast
Simon King
Lead weather presenter, BBC Weather
The BBC has confirmed with the Met Office that the highest temperature so far this afternoon has reached 34C at Heathrow and Teddington.
As we've been reporting, elsewhere Wales has seen its warmest May day on record with 31.1C at Trawscoed.
Scotland and Northern Ireland have had their warmest day of the year with 25.5C at Charterhall and 24.6C at Hillsborough.
There’s a chance we could see an update to this later this afternoon once all the data comes in but we’re now getting past the hottest part of the day so temperatures are generally levelling off.
Image source, Getty ImagesFile photo of a climate demonstration in Lisbon
As we explained earlier, the heatwave that’s been felt across parts of the UK and Europe is consistent with what we would expect in a changing, hotter climate.
According to the latest European State of the Climate report, Europe is the fastest warming continent in the world with heatwaves becoming more frequent and more intense.
As climate change worsens, climate anxiety has become more prominent in recent years. Young people are thought to be most at risk, the government says, external.
Feelings often associated with this type of anxiety include fear, sadness, anger, dread and powerlessness.
The UK government says information should be communicated in an "age-appropriate, hopeful and action-oriented way", helping people to feel heard and "capable of making a difference".
For those experiencing climate anxiety, Tony Bosworth, climate campaigner at environmental organisation Friends of the Earth says that "limiting your news consumption and time spent on social media, and getting out into nature, can also be good antidotes when things start to feel overwhelming".
Barra Best
BBC News NI weather presenter
Image source, BBC/Marita MoloneyGeorge the golden retriever tries to cool down in County Tipperary
The island of Ireland could be about to set a new May temperature record of more than 28C.
Temperatures in Northern Ireland have reached 25C in Hillsborough, County Down - around 10C above normal for the time of year.
That is also 3C below the May record for Northern Ireland which is 28.3C, set back in 1922.
While that record is not expected to be broken, a new record could be set in the Republic of Ireland where temperatures have climbed to 27C.
The record there for May is 28.4C, set in May 1997.
Simon King
Lead weather presenter, BBC Weather
We're around the hottest part of the day so temperatures will be starting to level out.
But in Scotland, it's now the hottest day of the year with temperatures of 25.3C in Charterhall. This beats the 23.6C on 1 May.
For Wales, with 30.8C recorded at Trawscoed, Ceredigion, it is now Wales's hottest May day on record.
While in Northern Ireland it has reached 24.3C in Armagh.
At Heathrow, temperatures have increased slightly to 33.6C in the last hour.
Elsewhere in England, they have now widely hit above 30C, including East Anglia, the Midlands, Merseyside and Greater Manchester.
It's hot and sunny across most of the country, but this is the UK, so naturally it's still raining somewhere...
On the Shetland Islands, the most northerly part of the United Kingdom, the temperature is currently around 13C and there have been grey skies and spots of rain.
Jeannie has sent this image in to BBC Weather Watchers:
Image source, BBC Weather Watchers/JeannieWe were sent this picture of similarly grey skies over the Scottish Highlands earlier.
But much of Scotland is still experiencing unusually warm weather - it's around 23C with blue skies in Edinburgh.
We've seen lots of photos today on the live desk of furry friends beating the heat - but Rosie is absolutely the first pet llama.
She took a dip in a paddling pool before retiring to lounge in the shade, we're told.
Diane in Worcestershire tells us that she's had Rosie as a pet for two years, and submits the below photo for everyone's consideration.
Stay cool, Rosie and Diane.
Leigh Boobyer
Live reporter
Image source, PA MediaIn Gloucestershire the annual cheese rolling races, which see competitors tripping and stumbling down an incredibly steep hill, do not usually take place in conditions this hot.
BBC reporter Andy Howard says he can recall the races down Cooper’s Hill taking place in drizzle, heavy rain and in very cold conditions, but never in temperatures this warm.
Ahead of today's races, the hill was described as very firm, with plenty of stones – not great conditions for the competitors who brave injury in their pursuit of the large double Gloucester cheese which is sent down the hill to signal the start of each race.
For the spectators too it has been a challenging day, with people getting there early to find the few shady spots to watch the race from.
Final cheese rolling race won by Florida man
As we've been reporting, around 500 properties in Sussex and Kent have either no water, or have been experiencing supply issues today.
These are some of the latest pictures from Ashford, where a bottled water station has opened at Challock Village Hall for affected customers. South East Water has apologised for the disruption, citing an "increased demand" across its network.
Simon King
Lead weather presenter, BBC Weather
In the last few moments we’ve had the 13:00 BST temperatures reported and the maximum so far is now 33.5C at Heathrow.
Not only does this make it the hottest day in May on record, but also the hottest bank holiday Monday on record (exceeding the 33.3C seen in the August bank holiday in 2019).
Along with the warmest May night on record we saw last night, that’s three new major records we’ve seen today.
Temperatures will continue to rise over the next couple of hours and even away from the south-east of England, it’s hot out there with temperatures widely into the mid-to high 20s.
Temperatures continue to rise - the Met Office says temperatures of 33.5C have been recorded at Heathrow.
That provisionally further extends the record for the UK's hottest May day, which was broken just under half an hour ago.
As we just reported, temperatures in Heathrow have reached 32.9C, surpassing the all-time record for May.
According to the Met Office, the previous May record stood at 32.8C.
That temperature was recorded in Camden Square on 22 May 1922 and then again in Horsham, Tunbridge Wells and Regent's Park on 29 May 1944.
Now, 82 years later, the record for May has been surpassed at Heathrow.
Simon King
Lead weather presenter, BBC Weather
The temperature has reached 32.9C at Heathrow in the last 30 minutes.
A new May temperature record.
Simon King
Lead weather presenter, BBC Weather
Image source, Getty ImagesThere has been a lot of coverage recently about El Niño - the natural warming pattern in the tropical Pacific - that’s forecast to be one of the strongest on record this year.
El Niño occurs when the sea surface temperatures rise in the tropical Pacific to more than 0.5C above normal and as well as bring chaos to weather patterns around the world, leads to a higher global average temperature.
Some have asked whether the heatwave across the UK and Europe has any link to the developing El Niño.
And the answer is, no.
While the topical Pacific is warming unusually fast right now, El Niño isn’t likely to be declared for another month and its impacts will be felt later in the summer and through into 2027.
You can read more about it here.
Simon King
Lead weather presenter, BBC Weather
We’ve not even reached the hottest part of the day and the May maximum temperature record of 32.8C from 1944 has been equalled.
We will continue to see the temperature rise over the next few hours - as we’ve been reporting, 34C or possibly even 35C is possible.
But even away from south-east England, temperatures have soared into the high 20s.
Just a reminder that the average temperature for the end of May is between 14 and 20C. With temperatures today up to 15C above that average, this is an unprecedented early season heatwave.
