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Wales sees hottest start to May on record

Maria Cassidy
BBC News
Beach goers in Tenby, Pembrokeshire make the most of the scorching start to May

The record has been broken for the hottest start to May in Wales.

Temperatures reached over 27C in Cardiff's Bute Park while 23.8C was recorded in Aberystwyth, Ceredigion.

Welsh Water has urged customers to consider their water usage, with rainfall currently 30% lower than levels in 2022 when parts of Wales last faced a hosepipe ban.

BBC Wales meteorologist Derek Brockway said the new record for 1 May in Wales had seen temperatures 10 degrees above average, with the previous high being 26.9C at Pen-y-Ffridd, Conwy, on 1 May 1990.

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He added there could be "a few heavy, thundery showers" in mid and south Wales on Thursday evening.

On Thursday, people travelled to the beach in Tenby, Pembrokeshire, to enjoy the sunny weather.

Alison King, from Cardiff, said: "Too hot for me. Today's been the hottest. Up until now there's been a breeze. But today there hasn't been a breeze and I'm finding it just a bit hot."

Malcolm, from Stoke-on-Trent, said the weather was "absolutely fantastic", while Clinton, from Somerset, said he was "keeping the little man in the sea and we've got the ice creams in" while staying at Bluestone holiday park.

Tamara Maran, from Pembrokeshire, said: "We've waited for this for such a long time now. It's great.

"We've come here to go to Caldey Island, which is obviously a national treasure of Pembrokeshire and we're looking forward to it."

"The sun is shining, you can see the sea is glistening. Wall to wall sunshine," she added.

Lisa, from Tenby, said it felt "freeing" to go out in shorts and enjoy the sun.

"I want to feel the warmth and enjoy it. We need to embrace the hot weather," she said.

Welsh Water said March 2025 was the fourth driest March in history in Wales.

Ian Christie, managing director of water, asset planning and capital delivery, said the company was "working around the clock" to get as much treated water into the system.

"Although reservoir levels are at a comfortable level currently, we're asking customers for their help so that we can make sure the water reaches everyone.

"It's essential that we help preserve the supplies in our reservoirs and rivers after what has been a dry spring.

"Our advice is simple for customers, use the water you need but avoid wasting it," he said.

How can you avoid UV damage?

According to NHS advice, when UV levels are elevated the best ways to stay safe are:

  • spending time in the shade when the sun is strongest - between 11:00 and 15:00BST
  • covering up with suitable clothing and wearing sunglasses
  • using suncream which is factor 30 or above and offers at least 4-star UVA protection on your face, neck and other areas of exposed skin
  • reapplying sunscreen regularly - check the instructions on the bottle
  • making sure babies and children are protected

Global research shows people often miss parts of their bodies when putting on sunscreen, according to Dr Bav Shergill from the British Association of Dermatologists.

"People often forget the side of their nose - where I have seen a lot of skin cancer," he said.

Other areas which need to be covered include the temples and the upper chest.

As a guide, adults should aim to apply about six to eight teaspoons of sunscreen if covering the entire body.