Extreme Heat Shuts London Schools, Flash Floods Disrupt Trains

Tourists cross Westminster Bridge during a heat wave in London, on June 22. Photographer: Jose Sarmento Matos/Bloomberg Photo by Jose Sarmento Matos /Bloomberg

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(Bloomberg) — Extreme heat across the southern UK is shutting schools and disrupting travel, after overnight thunderstorms led to flash floods in parts of London. 

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The Met Office has issued an unusual red warning for extreme heat for a swathe of southern England and Wales from 9 a.m. on Wednesday until 9 p.m. on Thursday. Temperatures are expected to climb to a June record of at least 39C (102.2F). 

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Climate change means that UK summers are getting warmer, with more frequent and intense heat waves, according to researchers and data from the UK Met Office. The current blast of heat is spreading north from the continent, driven by a high-pressure heat dome and jet stream changes triggered by a developing El Nino.

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“These are record breaking temperatures and they will cause health impacts,” said Alex Deakin, a meteorologist at the UK Met Office. “This country isn’t built for those kind of temperatures because we don’t see them.”

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Several schools and nurseries across London have introduced early closures, with schools like Nonsuch High School for Girls in Sutton, Camden School for Girls and St Dunstan’s asking parents to collect their children at 1 p.m. Aerodrome Primary Academy in Croydon is among the schools canceling field trips because of the heat.

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Government forecasters warned of travel disruptions and damage to infrastructure.

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This morning, the Elizabeth line was disrupted by flooding with no service to terminals 2, 3 and 4 at the capital’s main airport Heathrow, according to a status update on the Transport of London’s website. 

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Rail passengers have been advised to minimize their travel in the next two days to absolutely necessary train journeys within red warning zones. While rail services are expected to continue running, disruptions are expected as extreme weather can affect track and ground conditions, as well as signaling and power systems, according to the Network Rail. 

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Transport for London is warning passengers to check before they travel and to consider if their journey is necessary, as some rail and Tube services may be disrupted due to the very high temperatures forecast this week. London Overground and Elizabeth line services are likely to be most affected.

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Experts are warning that the extreme heat poses health risks. 

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“A heat wave in June is par for the course, but temperatures nudging toward 40C were unprecedented for the UK up until 2022,” Professor Richard Allan at the University of Reading said in a statement. “This week will see a more muggy heat wave that makes it difficult to stay cool and critical for those with underlying health conditions.”

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Overnight, thunderstorms struck London, with the fire brigade responding to approximately 400 calls for surface water flooding and fires caused by lightning. Thames Water’s discharge map shows sewage spills right across London.

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The extreme weather coincides with the London Climate Action Week. 

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“The UK is not prepared for the impacts of climate change,” Stefán Smith, professor of energy systems and the built environment at the University of Reading, said in statement. “Building design and urban planning must adapt to hotter conditions.”

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—With assistance from Rachel Morison and Jessica Shankleman.

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