A rare red weather warning for extreme heat came into effect for London on Wednesday morning, as a potentially record-breaking June heatwave intensified. The Met Office alert, which warns of a risk to life, began at 9am and covers an area stretching from London to Swansea and Somerset to Birmingham, lasting until 9pm on Thursday. Temperatures in the capital are forecast to reach 37C on Wednesday, after hitting a high of 34.6C in Wisley, Surrey, on Tuesday. The record UK high for June of 35.6C, set in Hampshire in 1976, could be broken, with conditions potentially getting even hotter later in the week.
Schools and Businesses Close as Workers Stay Home
Scores of schools in London have closed for the day, while many shops have also shut their doors. Hundreds of thousands of workers have been urged to stay at home, with 'do not travel' warnings issued by several train services. The red warning indicates significant disruption to daily life, and Londoners have been advised to adapt their routines to cope with the scorching conditions. The heatwave could see temperatures approach the UK's all-time high of 40.3C, recorded in Lincolnshire in July 2022.
Government Response: COBR Meeting and Health Guidance
A COBR meeting was held in response to the heatwave, the Government confirmed. A Government spokesperson said: "We are working across Government and with devolved and local partners to respond to the severe heatwave. As part of this response, the Cabinet Office held an official level COBR meeting on Tuesday morning, and will continue to closely monitor the situation. As well as being uncomfortable, the red weather alerts indicate that the heat poses a risk to life. We encourage people to pay close attention to guidance issued by the UK Health Security Agency, other public health bodies, and organisations such as transport operators."
Mayor Triggers High Air Pollution Alert
Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan triggered a "high" air pollution alert for the capital on Wednesday, the third such alert this year, based on advice from forecasters at Imperial College. He urged Londoners to stop their engines idling and avoid burning garden waste, which can contribute to high levels of pollution. Details have been shared with London's GPs and emergency departments to help vulnerable patients. Deputy mayor for environment and energy Mete Coban said: "Toxic air is responsible for thousands of premature deaths in London each year, which is why the mayor has done everything in his power to tackle it, which includes launching the world's largest clean air zone. We are urging Londoners to look after themselves during this period of extremely hot weather and elevated pollution levels, stop their engines idling, and refrain from burning garden waste – all of which contribute to high levels of pollution. It is really important we all do our bit to protect those who are most vulnerable as we continue working to build a safer and greener London for all."
Health Risks: Sunburn and Fire Danger
The number of children requiring hospital treatment for sunburn injuries surged last year, charities have warned. The Children's Burns Trust (CBT) and Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) highlighted the growing dangers of heatwaves, which can cause heat exhaustion, dehydration, and burns from prolonged sun exposure. Children are particularly at risk as "their skin burns more easily and they may not recognise early warning signs." Meanwhile, Mediterranean-style "fire weather" could push forest guardians to their limits if blazes break out, according to Rob Gazzard, a senior adviser to the Forestry Commission on wildfires. He warned that "extreme scenarios are going to be very challenging" to deal with.
Weather Forecast and Tropical Nights
The Met Office has revised its forecast slightly; London is not now expected to reach the previously predicted 39C or 40C, but the June record could still fall. Wednesday is likely to see a high of 35C, with Thursday forecast to hit 33C. Friday could see temperatures rise to 36C before falling to 32C on Saturday. Conditions will then cool, with Sunday forecast to reach 26C and next Monday 24C. Londoners face four tropical nights from Tuesday to Friday, defined as nights when temperatures do not drop below 20C. Tropical nights can prevent proper recovery from daytime heat, according to the Met Office.
