Kew Gardens

Parts of the UK, including London's Kew Gardens and Heathrow Airport, experienced their first ever month without measurable rainfall in July, with over 20 weather stations across southern England recording zero rainfall for the first time in their history. The drought, coupled with extreme heat, has led to over half of England and all of Wales being officially in drought, causing wildfires, low river levels, and crop shortages.

London’s Kew Gardens weather station recorded its first calendar month with no rain in 155 years. Europe faces a continent-wide drought, with low Danube river levels shutting down nuclear plants in Hungary and Romania, and Rhine shortages disrupting German trade. Forecasters report little sign of sustained rainfall to end the UK’s drought.

An accomplice in the fatal shooting of an NYPD officer has pleaded guilty, preventing the case from being retried. The incident is described as one of the most intense cases of anti-police violence in recent New York City history.

A deadly May heatwave shattered temperature records across Europe, with the UK recording 35.1°C at Kew Gardens and Ireland hitting 28.8°C at multiple locations. Temperatures were 10-15°C above average, while eastern Australia experienced thunderstorms.

Sales of fans, ice cubes, and sunscreen have surged in the UK during a record-breaking May heatwave. Temperatures hit 34.8°C at Kew Gardens and 35°C at Heathrow, with retailers reporting tripled ice cube sales and fans selling at three per minute. The heatwave has driven demand for cooling products like air conditioners and outdoor shade.

The UK recorded its highest-ever May temperature for two consecutive days, reaching 35C at Heathrow on Tuesday and 34.8C at Kew Gardens in London on Monday, surpassing the previous May record of 32.8C set in 1922.

An exceptionally early heat wave in May 2026 shattered temperature records across Western Europe, causing at least eight deaths, including drownings and sports-related incidents. The UK recorded its hottest May day at 34.8°C, triggering health alerts, while fires and disrupted transportation exacerbated the crisis.