London Records 35C High, Breaking May Temperature Record

London recorded a maximum temperature of 35 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, making it the hottest May day since records began. The previous record of 33.5C had been set only one day earlier on Monday. It noted that the prior May record of 32.8C had been exceeded on consecutive days by two degrees.

Temperatures reached 36C on Monday in southwestern France. Météo-France described a heat dome holding temperatures more than 10C above seasonal norms. A French government spokesperson reported at least seven deaths potentially linked to the heat, including five drownings.

The BBC reported that Ireland recorded its warmest May day on record at 29.2C on Tuesday. In Rome, temperatures were forecast to reach 32C the same day.

Many UK homes lack air conditioning.

London's Underground network, which is largely without air conditioning, carried commuters in high heat and humidity on Tuesday. Trains to and from Waterloo station were disrupted by smoke on the tracks. In Scotland, firefighters worked overnight to contain a grass fire near Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh. England authorities reported four teenagers had drowned in separate incidents since Sunday.