Last month, Britain recorded its hottest May day on record: 34.8°C at Kew Gardens in southwest London.
That’s not just a number it’s a +17.6°C anomaly above the typical May average. So I turned this milestone into an interactive learning experience.
Introducing: UK Heatwave Record Tracker
A clean, interactive dashboard that lets you explore this record-breaking event and understand its real-world implications.
Key Features
🌡️ Interactive Thermometer Simulator
Drag the temperature or click historical presets to see how different heat levels affect the UK.
📊 Climate Comparison Scale
Clearly shows the shocking +17.6°C departure from normal May temperatures.
🏥 Vulnerability Simulator
Watch real-time animations of extreme heat impacts on:
UK Rail infrastructure (thermal buckling risk)
Kew Gardens flora and glasshouses
NHS hospital admission surges
🤖 Gemini Climate Expert Advisor
A server-side AI assistant powered by Gemini 3.5 Flash with Google Search Grounding. Ask questions and get reliable, referenced answers based on real meteorological data and health guidance.
Design
Built with a refined Slate & Warm Amber aesthetic calm yet urgent, with generous spacing and elegant typography.
Tech Stack: React + TypeScript, Tailwind CSS, and a Gemini-powered backend.
This project continues my series of practical climate impact tools, turning abstract statistics into something you can feel and understand.
What surprised you most about this record? Have you experienced unusual heat in the UK this year? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
Stay informed and stay safe,
Suman
