Weather Watch - May 2026

Research evidence excerpt

Weather Watch - May 2026

ng 35 degrees Celsius. As such, the record for the highest temperature for 4030

20 9

10 4 2 9 13 11 5 3 6 4 2 4 3 2 6 1 1 5 3May was reached twice, according to the Met Office. The record termperatures were followed 0

by a stint of heavy showers, and colder weather, although current forecasts suggest further

potential for extremely high temperature.

Further Heatwaves in Europe - Similarly, much of Continental Europe has been struggling with . 2025 2000-2024 Average 2000-2024 Median

extreme heatwaves during the later weeks of May. Source: Jefferies, Aon Catastrophe Insight

Portugal saw temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in certain regions, leading to•

national record temperatures for the month.

Spain also faced extremely high temperatures, nearing 40 degrees, and breaking the•

previous record in Catalonia.

France recorded its hottest May on record, with a national average temperature of 24.9•

degrees on 26th May.

Indian Heatwaves - For over a month, India has been experiencing severe heatwaves, with

temperatures approaching 50 degrees Celsius in several regions. Our data suggests an

average temperature across the country for May of c.32.3 degrees Celsius, making it the

second hottest month overall since at least January 2007, just shy of the all-time high of c.32.5

degrees Celsius. In Delhi, the minimum night temperature was 32.4 degrees Celsius, +5.7

degrees above the everage. For years now, India has been experiencing an increased frequency

of heatwaves. According to IMD, India's core heatwave zone has increased by 0.1 days per

decade since 1961, with the total duration of heatwaves increasing by >0.4 days per decade.

Record Forecasts for Global Temperature - May 2026 was the second hottest May on record

globally, only after May 2024.