Wiltshire resident Tanith Pike was out walking on Westbury’s White Horse in 28-degree heat on Tuesday, May 26, when she saw huge clouds gather in the direction of Chippenham.
Though she was only at the landmark to cool off in the intense heat, the moment provided a perfect opportunity to capture the surreal moment the storm broke.
In a note to this paper, Tanith said: “I thought it was very surreal that all around me it was blue skies and 28 degrees heat and then suddenly there was a storm in the distance! It felt a little apocalyptic!
Remarking on the opportunity she had to snap the spectacular shot, Tanith said: “I was lucky, right place, right time!”
Although UK temperatures have broken previous records two days running, the Met Office had issued a warning that much of central England would be hit with thunderstorms.
Yesterday, the Met Office said many areas would stay hot and sunny but there was potential for as much as 30mm of rainfall in the space of an hour in some parts.
Bouts of heavy rain and rumbling thunder followed, before the skies cleared again and another hot night ensued.
Today (May 27), temperatures in Chippenham are forecast to exceed 30 degrees in the afternoon once again, although with clear skies throughout the day, according to the Met Office.
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Meanwhile in Swindon, the Met Office is also forecasting temperature to break 30 degrees again, although there is a slight chance of rain forecast this evening.
As reported, temperatures on Tuesday exceeded Monday’s provisional all-time hottest meteorological spring temperature of 34.8C recorded in Kew Gardens in south-west London.
Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said the “exceedingly hot” temperatures were “exceptional”.
Mr Burkill added: “It really is an exceptionally warm or very hot spell at the moment.
“For any time of the year it’s hot, but for May in particular – it is still meteorological spring.
“In terms of how groundbreaking, how historic it is – it’s very similar to that first time that we reached 40C.
“The fact that we’ve exceeded the May temperature by such an amount really is extraordinary and quite worrying.”
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said amber heat-health alerts for the South West, South East, London, East and West Midlands and the East of England will remain in place until 5pm on Thursday, with yellow heat-health alerts for the North West and North East.
