Temperatures hit 34C in London on Monday and Thursday as the capital sweltered through its third heatwave of the year, with forecasters now predicting the hot blast will last nearly two weeks. According to the Met Office, daily peak temperatures will stay above the 28C threshold for an official heatwave through to Thursday, July 16 – meaning London could bask in a 12-day heatwave. That is a longer stretch than the nine-day heatwave forecasters predicted just a day earlier. The heatwave is likely to have reached an "absolute peak" on Thursday, the Met Office said, before easing slightly with 31C expected on Friday and 30C on Saturday.
The latest heatwave follows record-breaking temperatures at the end of June, when the mercury reached 37.7C in Norfolk on June 26 – the hottest June day on record. An unprecedented heatwave in late May saw temperatures hit 35.1C in Kew Gardens, the highest temperature ever recorded in the UK for that month. The heat and humidity have played havoc with public services, as Londoners flock to lidos across the city to cool down. Many will be relieved that the worst of the heat may be over, but with the heatwave set to persist into mid-July, the capital will have to endure more sweltering days yet.
“London heatwave to last 12 days after 34C peak, says Met Office.”