Is London Actually Getting Hotter or Just Feeling Different

You’re right, it is getting hotter in London by the numbers. In the last few decades, the average temperature has slowly but surely increased, heat waves are getting hotter and occur more frequently now than they did in years gone by. A clear example of this is the blistering 40 degrees Celsius in the last heat wave in England, which would have been considered almost unthinkable just a generation ago in the UK.

Climate data supports:

• More days with high temperatures (30 degrees plus)
• Higher overnight temperatures
• Longer summer weather

However, while this general pattern of warming is true for the whole planet, urban cities, like London, will see even more pronounced changes.

Why It Feels Even Hotter Than Before

In addition to the actual rise in temperature, London is frequently hotter (than it seems) as a result of multiple urban conditions:

The Urban Heat Island effect — Concrete, asphalt, and building surfaces are good at holding heat created by the sun’s rays (especially in densely populated areas)

Limited air conditioning in 90% of homes and public spaces have no capacity to deal with high heat

Heat on the public transportation system — The Underground in London can get very hot in the summer.

In addition to the above factors, humidity plus a lack of wind can make an otherwise comfortable (or moderate) temperature feel very uncomfortable for an extended period.

A Shift in Climate, Not Just Perception

The climate in London is changing from its historical mild, moderate temperature to more unpredictable, extreme and unusual conditions at an increased rate. Temperatures have been increasing, resulting in not only hotter and drier summers but also years with unusual spikes in the temperatures of winter, with summer temperatures hitting new extremes.

This is much more than just a ‘feels like’ situation; there is an actual change to structures that support buildings, modes of transport, and general everyday living. Heatwaves have become too frequent, and the city and its infrastructure will eventually adapt, but there are many buildings that will need to be retrofitted to accommodate this new climate.

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Final Words

In conclusion, London is experiencing a change in the climate. The amount of change has exceeded expectations, so when looking at previous years, London has experienced a significant shift from what they used to consider as average temperatures. However, the fact that most of London is still under-prepared for high temperatures makes the city uniquely different from others with similar climates or characteristics.

As climate patterns continue to change, London must meet the challenge of not only dealing with increasing amounts of hot temperatures; they will also need to redesign their infrastructure to support a city originally designed for colder temperatures to operate within the warm weather.

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