After a blisteringly warm few days in London, we’re here. Monday morning, probably all a bit sleep deprived from the saunas we slept in last night, but perhaps still on a high from the sun-kissed weekend in the city.
Those who are praying for a slightly cooler time in London this week should probably look away, though, as the heat is not going anywhere; no — it’s actually going to ramp up a level. By Tuesday (July 19), we could be looking at a melting 35°C in London, making it hotter in the big smoke than the Bahamas, if only for a few fleeting days.
Will it feel like a sunny paradise, though? Mm. Not so likely — at least, not all the time. The humidity here, mixed with the fact we still have to jump on a busy train to work, could be kindly described as “pretty unpleasant”, although those with air conditioning at their offices will be breathing a sigh of relief.
Kicking off this week, we endured a pretty brutal couple of 31°C days, but it drops to a mildly more tolerable 27°C tomorrow (July 14). However, you’ll need to prepare yourself for what comes next, as Sunday ramps back up to 31°C before Tuesday potentially marking the hottest day of the year. Oh, and forecasters are also predicting a pretty sweltering 34°C in London on Monday (July 18).
In essence, it’s going to be very, very hot. Remember to carry water around with you, particularly on busy trains, slather yourself with high SPF sun cream, and seek a cool, shady spot if the sun gets too much. But also, remember to whip out those barbecues (perhaps when it cools down a bit in the evening) and enjoy it before the rain inevitably comes back to haunt us once more. Good luck, stay safe, and happy heatwave-ing, Londoners.