History, Politics And Current Affairs

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As forecast we've likely had the hottest day in May ever recorded in the UK today. The previous record was 32.8 Celcius set in 1944. Today it provisionally appears to have hit 34.8 Celcius at Kew Gardens!

The figure is the highest daily maximum temperature recorded in meteorological spring (March, April and May), as well as the highest temperature in May.

The previous record of 32.8°C was reached in 1922 and 1944. If confirmed and validated, and May sees a new official daily temperature record, it would mean that more than half of the monthly record highs - 7 out of 12 - have been set since 2003.

The record was also surpassed at Heathrow, Greater London (34.4°C); Northolt, Greater London (34.2°C); Teddington Bushy Park, Middlesex (34.0°C), Benson, Oxfordshire (33.6°C); Wisley, Surrey (33.3°C); Reading University, Berkshire (33.2°C); Wellesbourne, Warwickshire (33.2°C); Cippenham, Berkshire (33.0°C); Brize Norton, Oxfordshire (32.9°C); Charlwood, Surrey (32.9°C); Houghton Hall, Norfolk (32.9°C) and Santon Downham, Suffolk (32.9°C). The record was equalled at Marham, Norfolk and Woburn, Bedfordshire.

It's not often a temperature record gets beaten by two full Celcius, but it was today.

And pollen count worse than inversion layered smog.

Sufficient generic anti-histamines --Boots' one-a-day Cetirizine-- to mitigate symptoms leave me dozy, unable to think well...

And, D'uh, I swear the stuff is a diuretic: Upside, I'm catching up on the many 'Fortean Times' queued while waiting for those laser zaps and cataract ops...

When you get above 38 for a week i’ll be impressed…

Nightwatch2 wrote: ↑Mon May 25, 2026 7:47 pm When you get above 38 for a week i’ll be impressed…

Not sure how long a string of days we've done that, but the UK's certainly seen days above 38 Celsius. The UK absolute temperature record is 40.3 Celcius and that was set in 2022.

David Newton wrote: ↑Mon May 25, 2026 8:01 pm

Nightwatch2 wrote: ↑Mon May 25, 2026 7:47 pm When you get above 38 for a week i’ll be impressed…

Not sure how long a string of days we've done that, but the UK's certainly seen days above 38 Celsius. The UK absolute temperature record is 40.3 Celcius and that was set in 2022.

The problem isn’t spot records - it’s how long can you go lacking the infrastructure for said temperatures without people dropping like flies.

A fortnight over 41 and then we’re talking.

I can understand that 34-35 seems hot when you’re not used to it, and don’t have air conditioning, but with systems in place to look in on the elderly and ensuring pets have water, everyone else should be reasonably able to cope; the real kicker is the overnight temperature.

Urban Heat Island strikes again. Kew is somewhere between Class 4 (+/- 2 deg C) and class 2, depending. https://tallbloke.wordpress.com/2024/10 ... rk-london/

34 is certainly hot, walking is bearable but manual labour is not. Houses designed for sustained high temperatures with lots of insulation and overhanging eaves can be bearable for several days above 32, but I gave in and fitted AC 7 years ago. We've always had ceiling fans and flyscreens, so SOP is to open all the windows overnight and pump all the hot air out.

warshipadmin wrote: ↑Tue May 26, 2026 1:00 am Urban Heat Island strikes again. Kew is somewhere between Class 4 (+/- 2 deg C) and class 2, depending. https://tallbloke.wordpress.com/2024/10 ... rk-london/

34 is certainly hot, walking is bearable but manual labour is not. Houses designed for sustained high temperatures with lots of insulation and overhanging eaves can be bearable for several days above 32, but I gave in and fitted AC 7 years ago. We've always had ceiling fans and flyscreens, so SOP is to open all the windows overnight and pump all the hot air out.

That works if you have sufficient temperature and humidity differential at night. Here in CA, summers can run upwards of 100-110 degrees F during the day, but routinely drop to 60-70F at night. Add in a decent cross breeze and you can rapidly cool a dwelling down to downright chilly.

If you don’t get that nighttime temperature drop (or, worse, high humidity), then opening all the windows is a lot less helpful. The issue in the bulk of the US isn’t just temperature - it’s the humidity. Temps that would be quite comfortable (say 70s-80s, or even low 90s) are much less pleasant when you have high humidity. People generally run the AC less to cool things down than to dry the air out.

So if it’s hot but not humid, or hot during the day but cool at night, then opening all windows, breezes and fans do a lot to cool things off (assuming of course you can get the breeze to flow through the structure). If it’s also really humid - or your architecture doesn’t facilitate natural ventilation, it can be god-awful. Especially if you don’t have lots of ersatz cooling stations such as malls, theaters, big box stores that are open to the public and routinely air conditioned.

It can be a rough couple of days.

Yes, we're in the rain shadow here so (or and) humidity is on the low side. I found Sydney stifling, even though it doesn't get as hot, the combination of humidity and lack of wind made for uncomfortable days.

warshipadmin wrote: ↑Tue May 26, 2026 1:30 am Yes, we're in the rain shadow here so (or and) humidity is on the low side. I found Sydney stifling, even though it doesn't get as hot, the combination of humidity and lack of wind made for uncomfortable days.

I totally get it.

People think you move to California to avoid the winters. Oh no, you move to avoid the summers.

We got a whiff of that heat here in Sweden as well, in the sense that it went up from where it had been earlier, but more like momentarily around 22-24 so still a lot cooler. Now a few degrees below that again but the summer is slowly starting to make itself known.

My portable de-humidifier is working overtime...

We had out annual Steam Ralley here over the Bank Holiday weeked.

Traditionally its rained for it but this weekend was dry and hot for them.

Now we are getting the warnings to turn off gas, electricty etc...via the Express....who regularly tell you the exact time a major weather event will hit yiour area.

Households in 42 UK areas are being urged to prepare to turn off their gas, water and electricity as "intense" thunderstorms are forecast. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms from 3pm today (May 26) until 10pm this evening for parts of the East Midlands, East of England, London and South East England, North West England, South West England, West Midlands, and Yorkshire and the Humber.

The national forecaster has warned that the isolated thunderstorms, following hot weather, could bring disruption to some areas, with possible flooding, lightning strikes and power cuts. Spray and sudden flooding could make driving conditions difficult on the roads and potentially lead to some road closures, with commuters warned of possible delays and cancellations to train and bus services. As the thunderstorms may lead to flooding in some areas, households are being advised to prepare for the adverse weather now and protect their property, including turning off gas, water and electricity supplies.

The drastic advice given by the Met Office on how to prepare for the worst in the event of flooding also recommends preparing an emergency flood kit, charging mobile phones and storing valuables up high to avoid being damaged.

In its advice for staying safe in a thunderstorm, the Met Office said: "It's never too late to take action and prepare for flooding. Follow these six simple steps to protect your home or business:

Check the flood advice in your area to know when and where flooding will happen

Charge mobile phone devices
Park your car outside the flood zone
Prepare a flood kit to help you cope in the event of flooding to your home and business
Store valuables up high, including electrical devices, important documents and furniture
Turn off gas, water and electricity supplies.

"If you are trapped in a building by floodwater, follow these simple instructions to keep you and your family safe:

Go to the highest level in the building you are in
Do not go into attic spaces to avoid being trapped by rising water
Only go to a roof if necessary
Call 999 and wait for help."

You should only switch off your gas, water and electricity supplies if it is safe to do so and be sure that you don't touch an electrical switch if you're standing in water.

Your water stop tap will usually be found inside your home where your water supply comes in, or outside close to your property's boundary under a cover, your gas shut-off valve next to your gas meter, and your mains electricity cut off on your fuse board with a big on and off switch.

The National Grid says: "If flood water is about to enter your property, turn off your electricity supply using the isolator switch or fuse unit. Only attempt this if it's safe to do so, and never take any unnecessary risks. You can speak to your insurer or a qualified electrician if you need further advice. Your meter could be inside your property or outside in a dedicated meter cabinet.

"Never touch any electrical appliances, cables, or equipment while standing in floodwater. Please don't touch any appliances, cables, or equipment that has been touched by floodwater, as they may not be safe."

Listed are the 42 UK areas covered by a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms on Tuesday and at potential risk of flooding:

East Midlands
Derby

Derbyshire

Leicester

Leicestershire

Lincolnshire

Northamptonshire

Nottingham

Nottinghamshire

Rutland

East of England
Bedford

Cambridgeshire

Central Bedfordshire

Essex

Hertfordshire

Luton

Peterborough

Suffolk

London & South East England
Buckinghamshire

Milton Keynes

Oxfordshire

Reading

West Berkshire

Windsor and Maidenhead

Wokingham

North West England
Cheshire East

South West England
Bath and North East Somerset

Bristol

Gloucestershire

North Somerset

Somerset

South Gloucestershire

Swindon

Wiltshire

West Midlands
Herefordshire

Shropshire

Staffordshire

Stoke-on-Trent

Warwickshire

West Midlands Conurbation

Worcestershire

Yorkshire & Humber
South Yorkshire

West Yorkshire

Huh?

How vulnerable to weather is your power infrastructure? Given that the UK routinely gets lots of nasty winter weather, your infrastructure should be pretty robust against storms bringing down power lines.

Thunderstorms generally don’t cause massive blackouts from lightning strikes if you’re properly grounded, and how would it impact the gas infrastructure? You don’t have permafrost issues, so isn’t that infrastructure underground?

Well that temperature record didn't last long.

Kew hit 35.0 Celcius today.

Johnnie Lyle wrote: ↑Tue May 26, 2026 2:58 pm Huh?

How vulnerable to weather is your power infrastructure? Given that the UK routinely gets lots of nasty winter weather, your infrastructure should be pretty robust against storms bringing down power lines.

Thunderstorms generally don’t cause massive blackouts from lightning strikes if you’re properly grounded, and how would it impact the gas infrastructure? You don’t have permafrost issues, so isn’t that infrastructure underground?

I'd disagree on thunderstorms causing blackouts. It's fairly common in areas with above-ground local power distribution and trees. Local wind events will cause trees to contact or knock down lines, and lightning hitting powerlines will cause local disruptions. There's also the risk of voltage surges.

Now, I also can't see any need to shut off either the gas or the water. Both are underground and not likely to be disrupted. If there's flooding or another immediate residence emergency, then turning off the gas and power does make sense. Otherwise, it seems more like performance art, to make the government seem like it is Taking Things Seriously and Has A Plan.

Not particularly worried about flooding where I am. If we get serious flooding, its time to call the Mariner and get used to living on atolls and boats!

kdahm wrote: ↑Tue May 26, 2026 4:55 pm

Johnnie Lyle wrote: ↑Tue May 26, 2026 2:58 pm Huh?

How vulnerable to weather is your power infrastructure? Given that the UK routinely gets lots of nasty winter weather, your infrastructure should be pretty robust against storms bringing down power lines.

Thunderstorms generally don’t cause massive blackouts from lightning strikes if you’re properly grounded, and how would it impact the gas infrastructure? You don’t have permafrost issues, so isn’t that infrastructure underground?

I'd disagree on thunderstorms causing blackouts. It's fairly common in areas with above-ground local power distribution and trees. Local wind events will cause trees to contact or knock down lines, and lightning hitting powerlines will cause local disruptions. There's also the risk of voltage surges.

Now, I also can't see any need to shut off either the gas or the water. Both are underground and not likely to be disrupted. If there's flooding or another immediate residence emergency, then turning off the gas and power does make sense. Otherwise, it seems more like performance art, to make the government seem like it is Taking Things Seriously and Has A Plan.

It’s not that serious unless your power company has seriously skimped on maintenance, is a mass murderer, or both (cough, PG&E, cough). At least in the US, local utilities have both the authority and responsibility to trim trees necessary to protect lines (though homeowners are not advised to rely on the utility companies to do so unless they like modern art), and there are serious safety perimeters around long-distance transmission lines to prevent branches or trees from falling over onto the long-distance lines. And yes, while lighting hitting lines or transformers is capable of causing problems, proper grounding of the lines reduces the risk (though having Touchdown Jesus nearby to take the hit and evolve into Terminator Jesus helps). Similarly, voltage surges are possible, but at least in the US, everyone has both power strips with surge suppressors and the infrastructure itself has also evolved to minimize the risk.

So while yes it’s possible for a thunderstorm to be inconvenient, it shouldn’t merit a massive response akin to a big snowstorm. Turning off the electricity due to a storm is very unusual, unless there’s huge infrastructure maintenance problems or the aforesaid power company is a mass murderer.

Johnnie Lyle wrote: ↑Tue May 26, 2026 7:55 pm It’s not that serious unless your power company has seriously skimped on maintenance, is a mass murderer, or both (cough, PG&E, cough). At least in the US, local utilities have both the authority and responsibility to trim trees necessary to protect lines (though homeowners are not advised to rely on the utility companies to do so unless they like modern art), and there are serious safety perimeters around long-distance transmission lines to prevent branches or trees from falling over onto the long-distance lines. And yes, while lighting hitting lines or transformers is capable of causing problems, proper grounding of the lines reduces the risk (though having Touchdown Jesus nearby to take the hit and evolve into Terminator Jesus helps). Similarly, voltage surges are possible, but at least in the US, everyone has both power strips with surge suppressors and the infrastructure itself has also evolved to minimize the risk.

So while yes it’s possible for a thunderstorm to be inconvenient, it shouldn’t merit a massive response akin to a big snowstorm. Turning off the electricity due to a storm is very unusual, unless there’s huge infrastructure maintenance problems or the aforesaid power company is a mass murderer.

I think you significantly underestimate the Last Mile problems with maintenance across the US South. The trees grow fast and there's never enough tree trimming dollars for the local 2.4kV/4kV lines. Trimming is about every five years, ranging from three to eight or so. There's also considerable citizen disgruntlement over the process, because of the trimming just around the power lines, thinking that the trees are disfigured, complaining of tree butchers, and not wanting their beautiful trees trimmed.

It's gotten better over the past 15-20 years, but strong thunderstorms always result in some areas with outages. Usually just a matter of a few hours, and generally between 10 and 500 homes at an sport. It's also not trees bringing the lines down that is responsible, it's more the fuses at the transformers blowing. Each one takes a guy on the ground five minutes to change, but there are a lot of them. Speaking about Houston, there are also some parts that rarely have problems and others that get multiple outages a year, and those are served by the same utility company. Lots of trees around local subdivisions look good, but cause problems.

The main high voltage distribution network isn't an issue. Trees are trimmed and cut well back from the big pylons, and kept that way. Almost all of it that I am familiar with is also set up to be driveable, so doesn't have the PG&E problem.

And again, no one turns off their main power for a thunderstorm.