The record for the hottest May day in the UK could be broken again, with lunchtime temperatures hitting 32.2C at London's Heathrow
On Monday, 34.8C in Kew Gardens was recorded in south-west London - beating the previous May record, set in 1922 and 1944, by 2C
Last night, the UK had the hottest night in May on record - with minimum temperatures of 21.3C in south London and 20.9C in Emley in West Yorkshire
Three teenagers died in water on Monday, police say - in Warwickshire, West Yorkshire, and South Yorkshire
Much of England and Wales are now in an official heatwave - we answer: Why is it so hot?How do I stay cool?And can I wear shorts to work?
Two tourists from Sydney say they packed jumpers when they came to London - now they've had to buy thinner clothes. But it's not hot everywhere in the UK - cruise ship passengers are enjoying the cooler temperatures in Shetland
With Kenley in London experiencing the warmest May night on record - at 21.3C - and similarly balmy conditions felt more widely across the UK, we've compiled some handy tips to make sleeping a little more bearable.
Cameron Angus-Mackay
Reporting from Shetland
People in Shetland are pleased to see a brighter day after a run of cold and cloudy weather.
It's only 11C in Lerwick, but the sun is bringing people out for lunch around the harbour.
The town feels quite busy this afternoon because of two large cruise ships. Tourists are stopping to photograph island scenery and popping into local shops.
Belgian couple Claudia and Thierry are on a 12-day cruise. "We have 30C back home, but when we set off on the boat it was raining, raining, raining," they say.
Claudia and Thierry
Joe Coughlan
Live reporter
Image source, Eanna HermbuscheStaff at the Grantley Arms pub in Wonersh are offering free sunscreen for those in their garden.
Eanna Hermbusche, the Surrey pub's general manager, tells me that the initiative started last year after management ordered a bulk amount of sunscreen for the staff - before deciding to offer the surplus to patrons.
"In the outside areas we have got cutlery stations, so we put a few bottles on those and people can help themselves," Eanna adds.
He says the offering has spread locally through word of mouth, with parents appreciating the extra protection for their children during school holidays.
"It's been received very positively. People are very gracious of the fact it's being given out for free as everything costs money these days," Eanna says.
Kieran Kelly and Maddie Lake
Reporting from Regent's Park
Alyssa McCave, 19, Jayda Masina, 23, and Autumn Cook, 21, are visiting London during the heatwave (L-R)
In Regent's Park, we bumped into three people who are all too familiar with stifling heat.
Autumn Cook, 21, and Jayda Masina, 23, are from Utah, while Alyssa McCave, 19, is from Texas in the United States.
Both states experience intense heat, but Jayda and Autumn tell us that the current UK heatwave is "way worse".
Autumn says the "lack of air conditioning" is a "big" problem, while Jayda adds that more air conditioning would make the heatwave more "tolerable".
While they described the heat as "inconvenient", they told us they had still enjoyed their time in London.
Image source, Getty ImagesTemperatures in Moab, Utah - close to where this picture was taken last year - are expected to reach 24C today (75F)
Mark Poynting
Climate reporter
It can be easy to forget just how quickly the UK’s climate is changing.
Days exceeding 30C (86F) - known as “very hot” days by the Met Office - might feel normal, but they used to be much rarer.
During the last decade, the number of these “very hot” days more than trebled compared with the 1961-1990 average, according to the Met Office.
These temperatures are especially rare in May.
The Met Office says that 30C has been reached in May in only a handful of years since 1900.
And yesterday's provisional high of 34.8C is simply unprecedented in May since records began, smashing the previous high by a full 2C.
The UK’s weather varies a lot naturally, so new records won’t fall every year.
But this early season heat is consistent with the long-term trend of rising temperatures because of human-caused climate change.
Simon King
Lead weather presenter, BBC Weather
For an official heatwave to be declared, a location has to reach a threshold temperature for three days in a row. That's 25C for northern and western areas of the UK up to 28C in London and the Home Counties.
Greater London, Surrey, East and West Sussex and parts of Essex and Suffolk are now up to their fourth or fifth consecutive day.
Elsewhere, with temperatures this afternoon now exceeding the threshold for the third day in a row, we can now confirm that much of England and Wales is in an official heatwave.
Malu Cursino
Live reporter
Image source, Ron FassbenderFor Powell and others who are part of Mothers Rise Up, a shift to renewable energy (like solar) is the only way to "stop making the problem worse"
An NHS urgent care doctor tells the BBC she's seen an increase in the number of patients being admitted to her east London hospital during the current heatwave.
Dr Lorna Powell, who is also co-director of climate action group Mothers Rise Up, says she and her colleagues are seeing more older patients with complex health needs requiring treatment. These patients can struggle to regulate their body temperatures - making it difficult to stay cool during heatwaves.
Even without other health issues, extreme heat takes a toll on all of us. That's because "your body has to work overtime to keep you cool and maintain a stable core temperature", Powell explains.
We also become dehydrated more easily in high temperatures, and our blood vessels dilate putting an additional strain on the heart.
Higher-than-normal temperatures are becoming more frequent due to human-induced climate change. To mitigate the health impacts, Dr Powell says we should adapt our homes to extreme heat and educate people about how they can stay safe.
Elsewhere, Stuart Crichton, director of 999 operations at London Ambulance Service, told BBC London yesterday was the service's "busiest day in the last 12 months as we get into the amber heat warning".
Image source, BBC Weather Watchers / JojoNewquay beach in Cornwall - an area now under an amber alert for heat
The UK Health Security Agency has issued an amber heat health alert for south-west England, bringing the number of amber alerts during the heatwave to six.
Amber alerts were earlier issued for much of England, including the West Midlands, East Midlands, east of England, south east and London regions, all scheduled to expire at 17:00 on Thursday.
The alert indicates an increase in the likelihood of deaths, particularly among people over 65. It also warns of an increased demand on health and social care services, and demand for power exceeding capacity.
Yellow alerts are also in place for the north east, north west and Yorkshire and the Humber until Thursday.
Elizabeth Rizzini
Lead weather presenter
Image source, BBC Weather Watchers / silverloonMarazion, Cornwall, earlier today
As the intense May heat ramps up again today, we have the latest temperatures in from 12:00.
In Heathrow in London, the temperature has risen to 32.2C.
Meanwhile the weather station at Camborne in Cornwall has just recorded 28.8C, passing not just its May record, but its June highest temperature record too.
It's significant that the June record has been broken, as it is typically warmer in June than in May.
Here are some of the previous records set in Camborne:
Mark Poynting
Climate reporter
It’s well established that human-caused climate change is making hot weather more likely and more intense.
As humans burn coal, oil and gas and cut down forests, carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere.
These gases act like a blanket, causing the planet to heat up.
And even a small increase in average temperatures makes a big difference to heat extremes.
As the range of daily temperatures shifts to warmer levels, hotter days become more likely and more intense.
Since the 1980s, the UK has been warming at about 0.25C per decade – and 2025 was the UK’s hottest year ever recorded, the Met Office says.
Dan Woodland
Live reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesIt's set to be another exceptionally hot day across much of England and Wales, with forecasts of up to 35C in the south-east, which if reached would beat Monday's May temperature record of 34.8C. Here's what you need to know:
We'll continue to bring you the latest as the temperature continues to rise.
The Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) has urged people to stay safe after three teenagers died in separate incidents after getting into trouble at swimming spots in Yorkshire and Warwickshire.
It warned that "warmer weather unfortunately sees an increase in accidental drownings" and while air temperatures are hot, water temperatures remain very cold.
People should stop and think before getting into water as cold water shock can make swimming difficult and increase the difficulty in getting out of the water, RLSS adds.
If you do decide to get in the water, people should follow the Water Safety Code to keep safe and always stay together, the RLSS says.
If you see a person in an emergency you should:
Image source, GettyFirefighters have worked through the night to tackle a fire in Holyrood Park near Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) says as of 09:00 this morning, two fire appliances remained in attendance to dampen down hot spots.
The fire started in an area of vegetation near the ruins of St Anthony's Chapel on Monday, with the alarm being raised at 18:50 BST.
A fire service spokesperson adds that there are no reported casualties.
It comes as temperatures of 23.5C were recorded in Edinburgh on Monday, but the cause of the blaze is yet to be confirmed.
Grass fire breaks out near Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh
During hot weather, it’s easy to overheat, which can sometimes lead to heat exhaustion or heatstroke.
Heat exhaustion isn’t usually serious as long as you can cool down. But heatstroke is a medical emergency and needs immediate treatment.
Older adults, young children and people with long-term health conditions are especially at risk.
Here are the symptoms to watch out for:
Charlotte Hadfield
Live reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesAs many people head back to the office after the bank holiday, you may have struggled to choose what to wear to keep cool in the warm weather.
When deciding whether it's appropriate to wear shorts to work, personal stylist Sian Clarke, known as Styled by Sian, says people should consider two things - how important comfort is to them and whether they are someone who overheats easily.
"With the emotional and comfort side I would fully support it," Sian tells the BBC.
However, in more traditional workplaces where "you don't want to raise eyebrows" or run the risk of being asked to change, Sian says employees may want to stick to the dress code.
"It comes down to the person and place of work, but I think it's a really modern approach."
Image source, Getty ImagesBy law, employers have a "duty of care" to make sure working temperatures are reasonable for their staff, according to workplace conciliation service Acas.
While employers are not under any obligation to relax their dress code during hot weather, Acas says "where possible it may be advisable to for employers to relax the rules for wearing ties or suits".
If you want to keep cool at work without wearing shorts, Sian recommends opting for natural fibres, including organic materials which are more breathable, along with loser fitting clothes.
Are you braving bare legs at work? Get in touch at yourvoice@bbc.co.uk, external, external
Kieran Kelly and Maddie Lake
Reporting from Regent's Park
We’re here in Regent's Park speaking to locals and tourists about how they’re coping with the record-breaking heatwave.
Being from Sydney, Vince and Therese Pham, 68 and 64, are used to scorching temperatures, but expected it to be a lot cooler when they arrived last week.
Therese tells us she packed lots of jumpers because she thought it would be “very cold” but has since had to buy “thinner” clothes from the shops.
“I didn’t pack these clothes for London. I left the thick coat at home and thought I’d have to buy one here, but now - no need, no need. We had to buy thinner clothes instead,” she says.
Vince adds: “I just bought tops and shirts.”
Despite the heat, the couple have pressed ahead with their plans, having visited Windsor yesterday, where temperatures peaked at 32C.
Vince says the trains were a bit “stuffy".
"But it’s okay because we live in Australia. It’s even hotter there," he says.
Tuesday could be another record-breaking day in parts of the UK as temperatures climb.
BBC Weather Watchers have been sending us their photos from across the country and we've picked out some of our favourites.
Image source, BBC Weather Watchers/MattThese two donkeys posed for a picture on the coast of Killowen in County Down, Northern Ireland
Image source, BBC Weather Watchers/Oystermouth PhotographerThe peninsula of Pennard in Swansea basking in the sunshine
Image source, BBC Weather Watchers/TrippthedogThis dog remembered his sunglasses in Exeter
Image source, BBC Weather Watchers/PiaThe rolling hills of Perth bask in the sun
Matt Taylor
Lead weather presenter, BBC weather
Image source, BBC Weather Watchers/GeorgeThe sun rising over Market Weighton, East Yorkshire, on Tuesday
Last night saw Yorkshire experience its first ever 'tropical night' in spring as provisional readings state the temperature stayed above 20C throughout.
At Emley Moor it didn't get any colder than 20.9C all night.
It doesn't beat the highest overnight temperature though, which was recorded at Kenley and didn't fall below 21.3C, breaking the record for warmest may night - more on that in our earlier post.
Simon King
Lead weather presenter, BBC Weather
It’s mid-morning and already hot out there for many of us.
The highest temperature is in Greater London with almost 30C recorded and we’re nearly two degrees higher than this time yesterday morning.
It’s therefore looking increasingly likely that this afternoon we’ll be close to or even exceeding the May record which was set yesterday of 34.8C.
It's still a cooler picture the further north though, with the Shetland Islands reaching 11C.
Many of us will be trying to cope today with having had a restless night's sleep in the heat. As temperatures rise on the fifth day of sweltering conditions for some, here's how you can stay cool:
