Sadiq Khan has issued a high air pollution alert for London as the capital prepares for a week of sweltering temperatures reaching 39C. The Mayor of London urged residents to reduce car journeys, avoid engine idling, and check on vulnerable neighbours to mitigate the predicted poor air quality.
"Hot, sunny weather and pollution from continental Europe are expected to raise ozone levels," Khan wrote on Sunday afternoon. "Please help protect yourself and others, especially vulnerable people, by reducing car journeys and avoiding engine idling."
Extreme heat amber alert for London and southern England
The capital and much of southern and central England have been placed on an amber alert for extreme heat from Monday to Thursday. The Met Office warned of "adverse health effects" including sunburn and heat exhaustion that could affect the wider population. It also noted that heat-sensitive equipment and systems were at risk of failing, potentially leading to power cuts and loss of some services.
Temperatures are forecast to rise to 38C by Tuesday in London and remain at that level until Thursday. If confirmed, this would mark Britain's hottest June on record, surpassing the previous high of 35.6C recorded in 1976 in Southampton and in 1957 in Camden Square, London.
Historic heatwave comparisons
The summer of 1976 saw one of Britain's most intense heatwaves, with 15 consecutive days above 32C and 36 days without rainfall across England and Wales. That drought led Parliament to pass the Drought Act, introducing water rationing and standpipes. Some £500 million of crops were destroyed that year.
This year has already seen the hottest spring on record, with temperatures exceeding 30C in May. Last year's summer was the hottest since records began, with a mean temperature of 16.1C recorded between June and August.
Climate change driving more frequent extreme weather
Met Office meteorologist Simon Partridge warned that spells of extreme weather were becoming "more frequent" due to climate change. "That's unfortunately just the way things are going at the moment and it doesn't seem to be slowing down," he said.
The high pollution alert comes as London faces a prolonged period of extreme heat and poor air quality, with authorities urging residents to take precautions to protect their health and reduce emissions.
