London heatwave confirmed: three days above 28°C from 11 August
Thames Water reports 15 percent drop in storage as temperatures stay high into next week
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London will experience its sixth heatwave of the year from Tuesday 11 August, the Met Office has confirmed. The capital meets the official threshold after three consecutive days of temperatures at or above 28°C. BBC forecasters expect the heat to last until at least Saturday 15 August, with highs of 30°C on 12 and 13 August.
WXCharts has predicted an unusually warm night on Thursday 13 August, with temperatures reaching 31°C at midnight. The Met Office’s long-range forecast suggests the heat will remain above average, though it does not expect conditions to match the extreme temperatures recorded earlier this summer.
London faces 19-hour thunderstorm warning and flood risk
Met Office alert predicts up to 50mm of rainfall in a few hours, with disruption to transport and potential power cuts.
Water storage falls as demand rises
Thames Water reported a 15 percent drop in water storage compared with the previous month. Martin Padley, the company’s Water Director, said dry conditions had limited abstraction, but assured customers that supplies remained secure. He told MyLondon that while there was no risk of taps running dry, “every drop counts” during a drought.
It's been bone dry, we've not been able to abstract an awful lot of water. But there is still water for everybody to drink, nobody needs to worry but it is quite an important situation we're in at the moment.
Martin Padley, Water Director at Thames Water
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Days will continue to shorten until the winter solstice on December 21, with clocks changing on October 26.
The Met Office’s day-by-day forecast for London shows sunny intervals and light winds from 11 August, with temperatures staying above 27°C until at least 17 August. The BBC’s forecast aligns closely, though it extends the heatwave period by an additional day.
What residents should expect
No water use restrictions have been announced, but Thames Water has urged customers to conserve supplies. The company has not specified whether hosepipe bans or other measures will follow if storage levels continue to fall.
The Met Office has warned that while the heatwave will not reach the extremes seen in July, high night-time temperatures could make sleeping difficult. Residents are advised to keep hydrated, avoid prolonged sun exposure, and check on vulnerable neighbours.
The next formal update from the Met Office is expected on Monday 10 August, when its five-day forecast will cover the start of the heatwave. Thames Water has not scheduled a public briefing, but said it would issue further statements if conditions change.
Questions this report answers
+How long will the London heatwave last?
The heatwave will begin on 11 August and last at least three days, meeting the Met Office’s definition. BBC forecasters predict temperatures will stay above 28°C until 15 August, with highs of 30°C on 12 and 13 August.
+Is Thames Water running out of water?
Thames Water reports a 15 percent drop in storage over the past month, but says supplies remain secure. The company has not announced any restrictions, though it has asked customers to use water carefully during the drought.
+What are the temperatures at night during the heatwave?
WXCharts forecasts temperatures of 31°C at midnight on 13 August. The Met Office expects night-time temperatures to stay above 16°C throughout the heatwave, making sleeping conditions uncomfortable.
+Will there be water restrictions in London?
Thames Water has not announced any water use restrictions. The company said it would issue further statements if storage levels continue to fall, but no hosepipe bans or other measures have been confirmed.
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