Heatwave conditions met in parts of England, Met Office says

Eight areas of England have met heatwave conditions, the Met Office has said, as a spell of unusual May heat intensifies.

The eight areas of England that met heatwave conditions were Kew Gardens, Heathrow and Northolt in London, Benson in Oxfordshire, Brooms Barn in Suffolk, High Beech in Essex, Santon Downham in Suffolk and Writtle in Essex.

The temperature of 32.3C recorded at Kew Gardens on Sunday was the highest of the year so far, the Met Office said.

The soaring highs could also lead to new national May temperature records being set on bank holiday Monday. Currently 32.8C is the highest record for May, set in 1944.

Wales and Northern Ireland also saw their warmest days of the year on Sunday, with 27.4C recorded in Cardiff and 23.4C in Armagh. Scotland highest temperature was 23.5C in Edinburgh – just short of a high recorded in Aboyne earlier in May.

While the tourism and hospitality industry are welcoming the well-timed hot and sunny weather, the longevity of the heatwave is likely to have impacts on the health of some.

Amber heat-health alerts remain in force for parts of the Midlands and eastern England until at least Wednesday.