London is set for its hottest June days on record as temperatures reach as high as 40C in the capital this week.
The Met Office has issued a red alert for extreme heat on Wednesday and Thursday amid an unprecedented heatwave.
Last month saw the UK’s hottest-ever May day when a temperature of 35.1C was recorded in Kew Gardens.
The coming days are set to be even hotter, soaring past the previous record for June of 35.6C by some margin.
Londoners are being warned to take precautions to stay cool in the soaring temperatures.
Follow below for all the latest updates
Key points
- Red weather warnings issued
- London's coolest places during the heatwave revealed
- How long will the London heatwave last?
- Londoners braced for record four straight tropical nights
- Some schools forced to shut in London
- Eurostar cancels some services
London heatwave 'sleep nightmare' as record four straight tropical nights bring 31C at 11pm
Monday 22 June 2026 18:52 , Alastair Lockhart
As a sweltering heatwave grips the capital, Londoners are facing four tropical nights as temperatures hit 31C at as late as 11pm.
Day time temperatures will peak at 40C by Wednesday in London, with the temperature never dropping below 20C at night from Tuesday night to Friday night.
A tropical night is defined as when temperatures do not drop below 20C, according to the Met Office.
Monday night will be the last night with temperature below the “tropical night” threshold, before four consecutive nights of sweltering heat, even once the sun has gone down.
Where to watch the England v Ghana game in London
Monday 22 June 2026 17:39 , Alastair Lockhart
England fans are in for a sweltering evening tomorrow as they watch the Three Lions in their second group stage match against Ghana.
Tuesday will see a high of 35C in the afternoon and London is forecast to still be at 30C when the game kicks off at 9pm.
Read here for the Standard’s guide to the best spots to watch the crucial match across the capital.
Fire chiefs issue warning to parents during 'dangerous heatwave'
Monday 22 June 2026 16:59 , Matt Watts
Fire chiefs are urging extreme caution in outdoor spaces this week.
As people flock outdoors or to coastal areas, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) warns of dangers associated with hot conditions.
The NFCC is urging parents and carers to discuss the dangers of rivers, lakes, reservoirs, canals and quarries with children, and is reminding people that water temperature can remain dangerously cold despite the warn air temperatures.
London schools to close early as rare red heat warning issued
Monday 22 June 2026 16:52 , Matt Watts
A number of London schools have already announced they are to close early in the coming days amid the heatwave.
Schools in Sutton and Haringey are among those to announce closures.
Greenpeace calls for limit to emissions
Monday 22 June 2026 15:52 , Tom Place
Greenpeace bosses have called this week’s weather forecast “staggering”, in a warning against the use of fossil fuels.
Mel Evans, Greenpeace UK’s head of climate, said: “Today’s forecast is staggering. Heatwaves are expected to get longer, hotter and more dangerous to human life, to crops and to wildlife.
“While Greenpeace has long warned of this threat, we now have weather presenters saying they’ve been in tears over the risk to life that climate change poses.
“Ordinary people are increasingly paying the price for extreme heat they didn’t cause while fossil fuel giants continue to rake in billions.
“The Met Office is clear: we must limit emissions to prevent the worst of the risks.
“The Government must take action to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and hold polluters accountable for the escalating havoc they are responsible for here and across the globe.”
How long will the London heatwave last?
Monday 22 June 2026 15:46 , Tom Place
This week’s heatwave has officially taken hold today, with highs of 29C throughout much of the day which will peter off to around 24C by 9pm.
The Met Office has issued an amber weather alert for Monday and Tuesday. Tomorrow will see highs of 36C.
This will be upgraded to a red weather warning by Wednesday when temperatures are expected to edge 40C and 39C on Thursday.
To add insult to injury, the high humidity is expected to make the heatwave feel especially uncomfortable.
But when will the heatwave be over? Read the full story here.
Eurostar cancels services due to heatwave
Monday 22 June 2026 15:34 , Tom Place
Eurostar has cancelled a number of trains to and from London this week due to the scorching temperatures expected during the heatwave sweeping Europe.
Two services a day between London St Pancras International and Paris‘ Gare du Nord have been cancelled, with the train operator citing “adverse weather conditions”.
You can read the full story here.
Londoners braced for record four straight tropical nights
Monday 22 June 2026 14:31 , Matt Watts
As a sweltering heatwave grips the capital, Londoners are facing four straight tropical for the first time.
A tropical night is defined as when temperatures do not drop below 20C, according to the Met Office.
Monday night will be the last night with temperature below the “tropical night” threshold, before four consecutive nights of sweltering heat, even once the sun has gone down.
On one evening forecaster predict it could be 31C at 11pm and on some evenings it is predicted not fall below 25C at any point.
Met Office say heatwave will be on a 'much bigger scale' than in May
Monday 22 June 2026 14:12 , Tom Place
Dr Will Lang, chief meteorologist at the Met Office, has said that the conditions during this week’s heatwave will far exceed the heat seen in June in the past, and will be on “much bigger scale” than the heatwave the UK experienced recently at the end of May.
He added that the extreme heat would be of greater longevity than the record heatwave in 2022, when, for a “short, sharp” period, temperatures climbed above 40C in some places for the first time ever in the UK.
He said: “We are forecasting extreme temperatures in the next few days, particularly on Wednesday and Thursday, when it looks like we’ll be seeing maximum temperatures into the high 30s.
“But also we are stressing very high overnight temperatures which will be very uncomfortable for vulnerable groups, and very humid conditions as well.
“We’ve got several days into the mid to high 30s, and humidity is a lot higher, so it could be a lot more impactful, including for the general population, so we’re asking everyone to consider their behaviours and travel and how to keep cool in the high temperatures.
“These heatwaves are becoming more frequent and more severe due to the changing climate.”
What temperature is too hot to work under UK law?
Monday 22 June 2026 13:26 , Matt Watts
As temperatures soar people will be asking themselves if they have to work in such hot temperatures.
Brits have some rights regarding workplace protections, so you may be able to arue to your employer that it’s too hot for you to do your job.
You can read the full story here.
Will schools close in the heatwave?
Monday 22 June 2026 12:50 , Tom Place
More than 800 schools in France have closed ahead of the extreme heatwave.
The question is - will the UK follow suit?
Parents may be concerned about sweltering heats inside and outside the classroom, but school authorities will take precautions to protect children and hope to keep schools open.
You can read the full story here.
UKHSA issue statement
Monday 22 June 2026 12:39 , Tom Place
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a statement following the issuing of a rare red heat health alert for six regions in England for Wednesday and Thursday.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA said: “Very hot weather is forecast across large parts of England in the coming days and we are urging health and social care services across the country to ensure they are prepared.
“It is vitally important that people understand the risk posed by high temperatures like these, and take steps to keep themselves and their friends, families and neighbours safe.
“A red heat health alert indicates a risk to life for even the healthy population, but simple actions like staying hydrated, avoiding the sun during the hottest part of the day, and keeping your home cool can make a big difference.
“It’s also important to look out for others, especially elderly relatives, neighbours, and those with underlying health conditions, to make sure they are aware of the forecast and following the necessary advice.”
Trains cancelled due to heat
Monday 22 June 2026 12:29 , Tom Place
Great Western Railway (GWR) has said that some trains are delayed or cancelled due to the hot weather.
Some trains between Reading and London Paddington will be cancelled, with stations in the Thames Valley being affected.
The train operator says "track temperatures are forecast to reach levels requiring speed restrictions. Extreme heat can cause rails to expand and buckle, so when temperatures reach certain thresholds, trains must run more slowly to keep services safe."
More delays and cancellations on both GWR and other networks are expected in the coming days with the weather getting even hotter.
What is causing the heatwave?
Monday 22 June 2026 12:19 , Tom Place
The immediate cause of this week’s heatwave is similar to the “heat dome” seen May’s record-setting temperatures.
This involves a “high-pressure” weather system stalling over a region and trapping heat, according to Liz Bentley, chief Executive at the Royal Meteorological Society.
She said: “The coming week will bring an unprecedented heatwave with temperatures likely to reach 38-39°C.
“This will lead to two consecutive months, May and June, in which the UK temperature records have been annihilated by well over 2°C.
She said that one of the overriding reasons we are experiencing more frequent and intense heatwaves “is because our climate has changed due to the fossil fuel emissions leading to more dangerous extremes of heat”
Red weather warnings could impact infrastucture
Monday 22 June 2026 12:10 , Tom Place
The red warning issued by The Met Office will run between 9am on Wednesday and 9pm on Thursday.
Amber warnings are also in force from now until Thursday.
Red warnings could lead to failures of critical national infrastructure, such as power outages or roads and rail lines being closed, and the Met Office advises people to avoid travelling where possible and to follow the advice of the emergency services and local authorities.
The first ever red heat warning was issued in July 2022, following the introduction of the extreme heat warning system in 2021.
London's coolest places during the heatwave revealed
Monday 22 June 2026 12:03 , Tom Place
The Greater London Authority’s “Cool Spaces” list could be the ticket to find some solace from the sun this week.
Libraries, community centres, sports centres, and religious spaces were all 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 in the heat.
The GLA map is intended to help reduce health risks from hot weather and to offer shelter from the sun on especially warm days.
You can read the full story and see the map for yourself here.
Red weather warnings coming
Monday 22 June 2026 12:00 , Tom Place
The Met Office has issued a red weather warning for London on Wednesday and Thursday.
Red weather warnings 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.
Temperatures will increase significantly in the next few days with the potential for 38 or 39C by Wednesday and Thursday.
Good morning
Monday 22 June 2026 11:45 , Tom Place
Welcome to our live weather coverage.
We will be bringing you all the latest updates as an unprecedented heatwave hits the capital.
