London is set to swelter in temperatures of around 36°C on Tuesday as a heatwave grips the capital. The Met Office says the record UK high for June – 35.6°C – could be broken, with conditions expected to get even hotter later in the week. Some schools and shops in London are closing as millions prepare for what could be an unprecedented heatwave for this time of year.
Overnight Thunderstorms and Lightning Strikes
The heatwave follows a night of spectacular thunderstorms over the capital, which caused flash floods and thousands of lightning strikes. The London Fire Brigade said they took 400 calls and responded to two house fires believed to have been caused by lightning. The Met Office reported 29,074 lightning strikes across the UK in the last 24 hours, with around 3,000 striking London within a span of just two hours.
Red Weather Warning Issued
The Met Office has issued red weather warnings for London in the coming days. A red warning means the heat is likely to bring impacts to health and could be a danger to life, as well as a risk to infrastructure such as power supplies and transport. On Wednesday, the mercury is set to reach 37°C, while Thursday will see highs of 36°C. Friday shows no sign of respite, with temperatures back up to 37°C before finally dropping to around 31°C on Saturday.
School Closures
Several schools in London have announced plans to close or partially shut during the heatwave. The Department for Education said it does not normally advise schools to close during hot weather because attendance is “the best way for pupils to learn and reach their potential,” but that school leaders should ensure they take “any steps necessary to make sure children are safe and comfortable,” as it laid out guidance on how to keep pupils safe. The list of schools closing over Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday is growing.
Transport Disruption
Numerous operators in London are warning against travel as the heatwave grips the capital. National Rail and Great Western Railway are advising “essential travel only,” while others have cancelled multiple routes. Eurostar has cancelled a number of trains to and from London this week due to the scorching temperatures, with two services a day between London St Pancras International and Paris’ Gare du Nord cancelled due to “adverse weather conditions.”
The TfL network is buckling under the pressure of the extreme weather. A total of six Tube lines were either fully suspended or partly suspended earlier this morning. The Circle line was fully suspended due to a “signal system failure,” while the Elizabeth line has no service between Heathrow Terminals 2, 3, and 4 due to flooding caused by the overnight thunderstorms.
Cool Spaces and Water Bottle Policy Relaxed
The Greater London Authority’s “Cool Spaces” list could help residents find solace from the sun. Libraries, community centres, sports centres, and religious spaces were listed on last year’s database to help protect people during the heatwave. Drinking water stations have also been signposted on the map for Londoners to refill water bottles and hydrate.
Meanwhile, Wembley Stadium has relaxed its water bottle policy for future gigs due to the heatwave. As temperatures are forecast to hit 35°C, Wembley Stadium has confirmed that empty 500ml metal or hard plastic bottles will be allowed in the stadium. Previously only clear plastic bottles without lids were permitted, and standing areas had to decant water into cups.
