London experienced its hottest June day on record on Friday, as a severe heatwave pushed temperatures to 36.4C at Heathrow Airport. This surpassed the previous June record of 35.6C set in Camden in 1957.
UK June Record Broken in Suffolk
Meanwhile, a new UK June heat record was established in Wattisham, Suffolk, where temperatures reached 37.3C on Friday afternoon, according to the Met Office.
Red Heat Health Warning
A red heat health warning was in effect for London until 9pm. The extreme heat forced hundreds of schools, shops, and offices across the capital to close. Rail services were also disrupted, with multiple train operators advising passengers not to travel.
Climate Change Link
Scientists warned that such a heatwave would have been virtually impossible 50 years ago, attributing the increased intensity and frequency of extreme heat events to human-driven climate change. Met Office chief forecaster Andy Page stated: “Today marks the peak of the heatwave in terms of temperatures and the third consecutive day of record-breaking June heat. This exceptional heat has been unprecedented for June and is another marker on how climate change is shifting the dial on temperature extremes in the UK.”
Impact on Health Services
Health chiefs reported a significant rise in life-threatening emergency calls due to the heat, straining services this week.
Call for Tube Air Conditioning
Labour MP Uma Kumaran, representing Stratford and Bow, appealed directly to Mayor Sadiq Khan to accelerate the installation of air conditioning on the London Underground. In a video clip highlighting the baking conditions on public transport, she said: “I’m on the DLR. I’m very, very grateful for the breeze because London is absolutely cooking right now. Mayor of London, this is asking you, please put air con on the train.”
