A week-long heatwave is set to hit London with temperatures reaching up to 31C starting Friday. Forecasters predict more than seven days of sweltering heat, with the mercury hitting 31C on Friday and soaring again from Sunday.
Official Heatwave Definition
The Met Office defines a heatwave as at least three consecutive days when the temperature exceeds a certain threshold. In London, that threshold is 28C.
Health Alert Issued
The UK Health Security Agency has issued a yellow heat-health alert for the week ahead, warning of potential impacts on health and wellbeing. On Friday, temperatures will peak at 31C around 3pm with clear skies and sunny spells. Saturday offers slight relief at 27C, but Sunday will rival Tenerife and Barcelona with 29C. Clouds and gentle breezes will provide some respite.
Next Week's Forecast
The heatwave intensifies on Monday and Tuesday with highs of 31C. Hot spells continue into Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, with temperatures around 28C. Londoners should also prepare for two tropical nights, as Monday night temperatures will not drop below 22C, and Tuesday night may see 26C as late as 10pm. A tropical night is defined as a night when the temperature stays above 20C. London experienced its first tropical night of the year during May's record-breaking heatwave, which was the UK's hottest-ever May day.
Expert Commentary
Deputy Chief Forecaster Gregory Wolverson said: "This week's weather reflects a contrast we often see in summer, with more unsettled conditions passing to the northwest of the UK while heat builds in the south and east. As we move towards the weekend, we'll see conditions become more widely settled and temperatures rise all round. Many parts of southern and eastern England are likely to see temperatures high enough to meet heatwave thresholds."
Risk to Middle-Aged Londoners
Last week, the mayor's office warned that middle-aged Londoners face the same risk of dying in a heatwave as pensioners. Sir Sadiq Khan's officials highlighted this to an inquiry by the London Assembly's Planning and Regeneration Committee, titled "London is overheating – are our homes ready for rising temperatures?" The London Mayor's Office stated in written evidence: "Most heat-related excess deaths in England are in those aged 65+ years. Whilst heat risk is strongly correlated with older age, there is evidence that younger adults in London have a disproportionate level of risk, with Londoners aged 45-65 years having the same risk of dying during hot weather as those aged 65+ years." The Greater London Authority has released a map to help people combat the unprecedented weather over the summer months.
