UK records hottest start to May on record while country battles with wildfires
Today is the hottest start to May on record as the country is hit with wildfires.
A temperature of 28°C has been recorded in Kew Gardens, Richmond, southwest London, according to the Met Office.
A previous record of 27.4°C was previously recorded in Lossiemouth in 1990.
Plumes of smoke have also been seen across Derbyshire after a fire broke out near the Errwood reservoir in the Upper Goyt Valley – covering 40 hectares.
Firefighters have urged residents to keep all their windows and doors closed after they were forced to withdraw overnight.
The fire has been called the worst ‘the area has seen since 2018’, according to a spokesperson from Peak District Moorland Group.
They said: ‘With multiple nests of all ground nesting birds being burnt out and the fire heading towards commercial forestry, it’s the worst this area has seen since the 2018 fires when 40 hectares burnt on Ravenslow, one of the most prized blanket bog areas in this location.’
It comes as the UK has experienced the the hottest day of the year.
The Met Office has warned ‘there is a 30% chance of seeing 30°C heat’.
The forecaster told Metro: ‘Temperatures will be hitting 29°C across the South East of England today, bringing the hottest day of the year.
‘There is even a 30% chance of seeing 30°C heat, and if this is the case will be the first time on record such temperatures have been seen so early in the year.’
Average temperatures for late April are 12°C for parts of Scotland and around 16°C for southern England.
Hayfever sufferers have also been warned over high pollen levels, and the NHS has urged people to wear at least factor 30 sunscreen.
The London Fire Brigade has also issued a warning about open water swimming as Brits look to cool down.
Craig Carter, assistant commissioner for prevention and protection, said temperatures ‘can be dangerously cold’.
He added: ‘Cold water shock can affect anyone, no matter how fit or experienced they are.’
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.