The summer arrived with a bang, bringing a searing heatwave and tropical nights, but how long is it going to last?
As pleasant as the sunshine has been after the grim British winter, many are now starting to long for cooler weather after enduring sleepless nights and sweaty commutes.
The record for the hottest temperature was broken in England and Wales, with Kew Gardens in London reaching 35.1°C yesterday, smashing the record set the previous day by two degrees.
On the railways and the Tube, commuters were caught in disruption after a spate of delays and cancellations, with some continuing today.
The heat blast has also sparked a debate about why the hot weather hits different in the UK than anywhere else.
And conditions aren’t getting cooler just yet.
Are you enjoying the May heatwave?
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Yes, I hope it continues
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No, I’ve reached my limit
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No heatwave where I am
UK weather forecast
Today is sunny and warm again across most of the UK, although there could be some showers in the south, the Met Office said.
An amber heat alert remains in place in the south west, while the rest of England is under a yellow alert due to hot weather until tomorrow afternoon.
This indicates the heat could put vulnerable and elderly people at risk, the UKHSA warned.
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For most, the brunt of the heatwave will last until tomorrow, with possible thunderstorms spelling stifling weather.
Temperatures in London could peak above 32°C tomorrow before a slight drop in temperatures in large parts of the country on Friday and heading into the weekend.
The UV levels are expected to remain high for the coming days, especially during the midday hours, with people advised to cover up and wear sunscreen.
Meanwhile, pollen levels are set be high in London and the South East until Sunday, dominated by grass and weed pollen.
Travel disruption today
Some trains could continue to face disruption as the hot weather can affect infrastructure such as overhead lines and even cause rails to buckle.
At London Euston, trains are disrupted until the end of the day as a points failure is blocking some lines.
Avanti West Coast, London Northwestern Railway and Southern services are impacted until the end of the day, National Rail warned.
Fewer Overground trains will run between Stratford and Richmond and Clapham Junction for the rest of the day because of a shortage of train crew.
How to stay cool in hot weather
If you have to travel on the Tube, train or by road this week, have plenty of water at hand and dress in cool, loose-fitting clothing if possible.
Reaching for a sip of water in any weather is not a bad idea, but doctors have recommended one surprising everyday drink in a heatwave.
On the Tube, your best hope is an Underground line with air conditioning.
And Metro has this handy guide for heatwave survival 101 shopping essentials, from best handheld fans to cooling pillows.
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