Marek Kučera 
London—a city known more for drizzle than desert heat—may soon be baking under a scorching +36°C “supertropical” heatwave, and it could happen in just 10 days. If current forecasts hold, this could mark one of the hottest June days in UK history and a wake-up call for just how fast climate extremes are escalating.
🌡️ From Fog to Furnace: London’s Rapid Heat Surge
While the UK has seen hot spells in recent years, +36°C in June is not just rare—it’s nearly unprecedented.
Forecast models suggest a sharp and sustained warming trend beginning around late June, with peak heat building over southern England, including Greater London.
Here’s what makes this extraordinary:
- Average June highs in London hover around 21–23°C.
- A jump to +36°C represents a 13–15°C anomaly, which is extreme even by modern standards.
- It would rank among the top 5 hottest June temperatures ever recorded in the UK.
🔥 What’s Behind the Supertropical Surge?
Meteorologists point to a potent combination of factors:
- A high-pressure system locked over the British Isles, forming a “heat dome.”
- A strong south-to-north air current importing supertropical air masses from North Africa and southern Iberia.
- Ground conditions in Southeast England are already drier than normal, which amplifies surface heating.
Together, these ingredients form a perfect storm for urban overheating, especially in heat-retaining cities like London.
🚨 Health & Infrastructure Risks
The UK’s infrastructure—and public mindset—is not built for tropical-level heat.
A surge to +36°C could mean:
- Health emergencies, especially among the elderly, infants, and people with preexisting conditions.
- Transport chaos: train tracks can buckle, road surfaces can melt, and the Underground becomes dangerously hot.
- Power demand spikes, leading to potential blackouts.
- Air pollution peaks, with ozone levels worsening in the heat.
London hospitals and emergency planners are already monitoring the situation closely.
🧬 A Climate Wake-Up Call
This isn’t a one-off.
Climate scientists have long warned that extreme heat events are increasing in frequency and severity across Northern Europe—including the UK.
Let’s look at the trajectory:
- 2019: Cambridge hit +38.7°C, the UK’s current all-time record.
- 2022: Heathrow registered +40.2°C—the first time 40°C was ever recorded in the UK.
- 2025?: Could June see +36°C in London—two weeks before July even begins?
The trend is undeniable: UK summers are transforming.
✅ What Can Be Done Now?
To prepare for a possible heatwave within 10 days, both authorities and citizens must act:
- Issue early heat warnings and educate the public.
- Keep homes and workplaces cool and ventilated.
- Check in on vulnerable individuals.
- Encourage hydration, rest, and reduced outdoor work during peak hours.
- Reinforce transport and power systems.
🕯️ Final Thought: The Urban Tropics Are Here
London has often been described as grey, rainy, and mild. But if +36°C arrives in June, that stereotype may vanish overnight.
The capital may soon feel more like Casablanca than Camden.
This isn’t the future.
This is 10 days away.
Detrail
