Europe braces for its hottest temperatures of 2026 this week as a powerful anticyclone locks heat across the continent, shattering May records and pushing thermometers past 30°C in multiple countries. The UK registered its highest May temperature in nearly 80 years on Sunday, with London’s Heathrow Airport hitting 32.1°C and Kew Gardens peaking at 32.3°C, according to the *Guardian* . These readings mark the warmest day of the year so far for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Ireland will see its own 2026 high on Monday or Tuesday, with Met Éireann forecasting up to 27°C in Munster and Leinster—nearly 2.5°C above the 24.9°C recorded at Phoenix Park last week . Austria and Germany are bracing for similar extremes, with *Die Presse* reporting sustained highs of 26–32°C through next week, peaking at 32°C in some regions .

Romania’s National Meteorological Administration warns of a fleeting heatwave, with temperatures spiking to 33°C midweek before a cold front brings relief . Ukraine expects 29°C on Monday, while the Netherlands anticipates a warm, dry early summer following a sunny spring .

The heat is driven by a persistent anticyclone over Western Europe, which Swedish meteorologists say could break additional May records in the coming days . While some countries face temporary cooling later in the week, the broader pattern suggests an early and intense start to summer across much of the continent.

> Background: **TRENDING — Europe braces for record early-summer heatwave as temperatures surge across continent** — *9 hours ago*

More LFE coverage on this topic

**Western Europe faces record May heatwave as temperatures soar above 30C.** — *2 days ago*

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Articles

Temperatures to reach up to 27 degrees as warm spell continues Sunny weather follows unusually cold May, with highest temperature of the year so far, 24.9 degrees, recorded at Phoenix Park

irish times · 4 months ago

Nový týždeň prinesie veľmi teplé počasie najmä na juhu krajiny V teplom vzduchu bude do našej oblasti naďalej zasahovať od západu až severozápadu rozsiahla tlaková výš. Zároveň sa bude v karpatskej oblasti rozpadávať nevýrazný studený front.

aktuality.sk · 4 months ago

Hottest May day for nearly 80 years as parts of UK hit heatwave threshold Highest temperatures of 2026 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland as Kew Gardens in London reaches 32.3CEngland, Wales and Northern Ireland recorded their highest temperatures of 2026 on Sunday, which was also the UKs hottest May day for at least 79 years.Kew Gardens in west London recorded 32.3C (90.1F), Cardiff 27.4C and Armagh 23.4C. Continue reading...

theguardian · 4 months ago

UK swelters as hottest May day for nearly 80 years hits England, Wales and Northern Ireland hit record temperatures on Sunday, with Heathrow in London reaching 32.1C high England, Wales and Northern Ireland sweltered in record temperatures for 2026 on Sunday, which was also the UKs hottest May day for at least 79 years.Heathrow in west London saw a high of 32.1C, while Cardiff recorded 27.4C and Armagh saw 23.4C. Continue reading...

theguardian · 4 months ago

Today is the hottest day of the year so far We could see highs of 27 degrees tomorrow and Tuesday, according to Met Éireann.

thejournal · 4 months ago

Dutch summer forecast points to warm, dry conditions and likely hot early summer The Netherlands is finishing a sunny and dry spring with rising temperatures, setting the stage for a summer that seasonal forecasts indicate will likely be warm and dry, with an elevated likelihoo

nltimes.nl · 4 months ago

Monday or Tuesday set to be the hottest day of the year so far We could see highs of 27 degrees tomorrow and Tuesday, highest in Munster and Leinster.

thejournal · 4 months ago

Bis zu 32 Grad: Nach Pfingsten bleibt es sommerlich heiß Die Frühtemperaturen pendeln in der kommenden Woche zwischen sieben und 16 Grad, untertags werden 26 bis 32 Grad erreicht.

die presse · 4 months ago

Wetterprognose: Auch nach Pfingsten bleibt es sommerlich heiß Bis zu 32 Grad – nur leichte Abkühlung am Donnerstag, danach wieder Temperaturen um die 30-Grad-Grenze

der standard · 4 months ago

Vremea se încălzește, dar pentru scurt timp. ANM: „Așteptăm un proces de răcire asociat unui front atmosferic rece După un weekend cu ploi și inundații, ne așteaptă zile cu mult soare. Potrivit meteorologilor, spre mijlocul săptămânii se vor înregistra temperaturi de vară, de până la 33 de grade Celsius. Însă această încălzire nu va dura mult, atrage atenția directorul de prognoză al ANM, Florinela Georgescu.

digi24 · 4 months ago

Anticyklon bakom extremvärme i västra Europa Stora delar av västra Europa toppnoterar sedan ett par dagar temperaturer en bra bit över 30 grader. En så kallad anticyklon ger prognoser som talar för att mängder av platser kommer att notera värmerekord för maj månad.

dagens nyheter · 4 months ago

Ukraine forecasts up to 29°C on Monday, with brief rain showers in some areas On Monday, May 25, brief rain showers are expected in some parts of Ukraine, with daytime temperatures reaching up to 29°C.

ukrinform · 4 months ago