Temperatures in London are set to reach 34C this week as a prolonged heatwave grips the capital, raising concerns over health risks and travel disruption. The Met Office forecasts seven consecutive days of temperatures at or above 30C in London, with a peak of 34C expected on Wednesday and Thursday.
Health Alerts Issued
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued yellow heat health alerts for parts of the UK, including London. The agency warns of minor impacts on health and social care services, increased use of healthcare by vulnerable people, and a greater risk to life for the same group. It also highlights potential water-related incidents, such as cold water shock and drowning.
Travel Chaos Threat
The heatwave threatens further travel disruption for Londoners after record hot weather in June led to "do not travel" warnings on railways and commuter service delays. The Met Office notes that while this spell is prolonged, it is not expected to be as hot and humid as last month's heatwave, which saw a provisional UK June record of 37.7C in Lingwood, Norfolk.
Hosepipe Bans in Effect
Outside London, Southern Water has announced a hosepipe ban from July 10 in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, citing the warmest spring on record and a record-breaking heatwave that left river levels 25% lower than expected. The River Test has lost a third of its water within the last month, putting pressure on water treatment and supply. South East Water’s temporary hosepipe ban for Kent came into force on Friday.
Southern Water states that customers with medical needs on its priority services register, including blue badge holders and those on the WaterSure tariff, are exempt. The ban covers non-essential uses such as watering gardens, filling paddling pools, and washing cars.
Previous Records Broken
The June heatwave broke the previous UK June temperature record of 35.6C from 1976 by more than 2C, a significant margin compared to typical record increments. The UKHSA’s new alert follows that sweltering period, which included a rare red warning for extreme heat.
