London is under an active UKHSA amber heat-health alert from 9am on Wednesday 29 July to 9am on Thursday 30 July 2026. The Met Office forecasts a London high of around 33°C on Wednesday, easing to the high 20s on Thursday and the mid-to-high 20s through the weekend.
This is London’s third spell of hot weather in 2026, following a record-breaking heatwave in late June and a second, slightly cooler spell in early-to-mid July. It is milder than either of those earlier spells, and no Met Office red or amber weather warning is currently in force, only the UKHSA heat-health alert.
If you are flying to London this summer from the Gulf, this guide covers what is happening right now, how this spell compares to the earlier ones, and how long it is expected to last. It also covers the detail most visitors miss: whether your London hotel actually has air conditioning. You can also compare flights to London and track your arrival airport at London Heathrow.
London heatwave status, updated 29 July 2026: UKHSA amber heat-health alert active 9am 29 July to 9am 30 July, upgraded from yellow on 27 July. Met Office high of ~33°C on Wednesday, easing to the high 20s by Thursday and the mid-to-high 20s over the weekend. Source: UKHSA and Met Office.
Is there a heatwave in London right now?
Yes, a milder third spell of hot weather is affecting London, with an active UKHSA amber heat-health alert running from 9am 29 July to 9am 30 July 2026. The alert was upgraded from yellow to amber on 27 July.
By the Met Office’s own definition, London is in a heatwave once it records at least three consecutive days at or above 28°C, and the city has been running close to or above that threshold this week. Unlike the earlier two spells this summer, no Met Office red or amber weather warning has been issued for this one, only the UKHSA heat-health alert, which tracks the health risk of sustained heat rather than the weather itself.
This is the third distinct hot spell London has seen in 2026, after a record-breaking late-June heatwave and a second spell earlier in July. The sections below cover how this spell compares to those, and what it means if you have a trip booked.
How hot is it, and how hot will it get?
London is forecast to peak at around 33°C on Wednesday 29 July, before cooling through the rest of the week. The table below shows the Met Office outlook for the days ahead.
| Day | Forecast high |
|---|---|
| Wed 29 July | ~33°C |
| Thu 30 July | High 20s°C |
| Fri 31 July | ~26°C |
| Sat 1 Aug | ~27°C |
| Sun 2 Aug | ~26°C |
This spell is noticeably milder than what came before it. Late June brought a record-breaking heatwave with a rare Red Extreme Heat Warning for three consecutive days, the first time that alert level had ever been issued in the UK, and the UK set a new June temperature record of 37.7°C at Lingwood, Norfolk, while Wales recorded its own record of 35.9°C at Bute Park, Cardiff.
A second spell followed in early-to-mid July, peaking at around 35.5°C at Wisley, Surrey, on 9 July. During the late-June spell, London also saw widespread tropical nights, when the temperature never drops below 20°C, because cities trap heat in concrete and brick and release it slowly after dark.
How London’s heat compares to the Gulf
This is where Gulf travellers get caught out. The numbers look mild next to a Riyadh or Dubai summer, yet a London heatwave can feel harder to cope with, because the city has far less air conditioning to retreat to.
| City | Peak summer high | Air conditioning |
|---|---|---|
| Riyadh | ~45°C | Standard everywhere |
| Dubai | ~41°C | Standard everywhere |
| London | Late 30s°C in a heatwave | Rare in hotels and the Tube |
Lower numbers, harder to escape. Track your departure with the Dubai International or Riyadh flight trackers.
How long will this spell of heat last?
This third spell is expected to ease by Thursday 30 July, with temperatures settling into the mid-to-high 20s°C over the weekend. That pattern matches how the earlier two spells behaved this summer, both easing within about a week as fresher Atlantic air moved in.
One spell easing does not mean summer is done. The UK has now had three separate hot spells in June and July 2026 alone, so further short heat pulses in August remain possible.
For the wider continental picture, see our guide to how long the Europe heatwave will last.
What do the heat alerts mean?
Two different alert systems are in play right now, and it matters which one is active. The Met Office issues colour-coded weather warnings for the heat itself, while UKHSA issues a separate heat-health alert that tracks risk to health and the health system.
- Yellow (Met Office): Hot weather that mainly affects vulnerable people. Plan your day around the heat.
- Amber (Met Office): Affects everyone, with possible travel disruption and real health risk at midday.
- Red (Met Office): Risk to life even for healthy people. Avoid activity in the peak afternoon heat.
Right now, no Met Office weather warning is in force for London, only a UKHSA amber heat-health alert. By the Met Office’s definition, London is in a heatwave once it records at least three consecutive days at or above 28°C, among the highest regional thresholds in the UK.
What a London heatwave means if you are visiting
The single most important thing to know is that most of London is not air-conditioned. That changes how you book, what you pack, and how you get around.
Do London hotels have air conditioning?
Many do not, especially older, budget, and boutique properties. Air conditioning is far less standard in London than in the Gulf, and a fan in the room is common even in mid-range hotels.
During a heatwave, a cool room is the difference between sleeping and not sleeping. Filter for it before you book: when you compare hotels in London on Wego, look specifically for air conditioning in the amenities and read recent reviews, since some listings cool only the lobby. Newer and international-chain hotels are your safest bet.
What should you pack?
Pack as if there will be no escape from the heat, because indoors may not help.
- Refillable water bottle
- Light, breathable clothing and a sun hat
- High-SPF sunscreen
- Handheld or battery fan for the Tube
- A light layer for over-cooled malls and museums
Getting around: the Tube heat problem
Seven London Underground lines have no air conditioning, and the Central, Bakerloo, and Victoria lines are usually the hottest, regularly passing 30°C in summer.
- Bakerloo
- Central
- Jubilee
- Northern
- Piccadilly
- Victoria
- Waterloo & City
The cooler options are the Elizabeth line and the sub-surface lines, which are all air-conditioned or cooled.
- Elizabeth line
- Circle
- District
- Hammersmith & City
- Metropolitan
If your flights are affected by heat-related delays, you can track status with the Wego flight tracker.
How to stay cool in London: the best spots for visitors
London does cool surprisingly well once you know where to go, whether you want an air-conditioned museum or open-air water.
- Victoria and Albert Museum (South Kensington) — air-conditioned, with a courtyard fountain
- National Maritime Museum (Greenwich) — air-conditioned and spacious
- Tate Modern (Bankside) — cool galleries by the river
- Hampstead Heath ponds (Hampstead) — open-water swimming
- Brockwell Lido (Herne Hill) — outdoor pool
- London Fields Lido (Hackney) — outdoor pool
- The Southbank (riverside) — breeze off the Thames
- Little Venice (Paddington) — shaded canalside cafes
- Hyde Park (central) — tree shade and fountains
Is it safe to travel to London during a heatwave?
For most healthy travellers, yes, with sensible precautions. Shift activity to mornings and evenings, stay hydrated, and use the cool indoor spots above during peak hours.
The risk rises sharply for young children, older travellers, pregnant women, and anyone with heart or breathing conditions. Watch for the warning signs of heat exhaustion, including heavy sweating, dizziness, headache, and cramps, and seek help if symptoms do not ease after moving somewhere cool and rehydrating.
- Still planning your trip: Book a hotel with air conditioning and free cancellation, and keep dates flexible where you can.
- Already booked: Confirm your hotel’s air conditioning is working, ask for a shaded or higher floor, and check your flight status before heading to the airport.
- Already in London: Shift sightseeing to mornings and evenings, use air-conditioned museums at midday, carry water, and prefer the cooled Tube lines.
For the wider travel impact, see our guide to the Europe heatwave impact and our Europe heatwave 2026 hub.
When is the best time to visit London to avoid the heat?
For reliably mild weather, the shoulder months of May, late September, and October are the safer bets, with comfortable days and far smaller crowds. Heatwaves can strike any time from June to August, and 2026 has already brought three separate spells, so build flexibility into summer trips.
If you are weighing dates, compare flights to London across the summer and shoulder season for cooler weather and better fares. Gulf carriers including Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Saudia, and British Airways all serve London year-round, into Heathrow and Gatwick.
London heatwaves: the bigger picture
Extreme heat in London is becoming more frequent, and 2026 alone has already brought three distinct hot spells. The UK passed 40°C for the first time on record on 19 July 2022, when the temperature reached 40.3°C.
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1976 | The landmark UK heatwave, weeks of sustained heat and drought |
| 2003 | 38.5°C, then the hottest on UK record |
| 2019 | 38.7°C at Cambridge sets a new record |
| 2022 | The UK passes 40°C for the first time on record, reaching 40.3°C on 19 July |
| 2026 | Three separate hot spells: a record-breaking late-June heatwave (37.7°C UK record), a second spell peaking ~35.5°C on 9 July, and a milder third spell in late July |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a heatwave in London right now?
Yes, a milder third spell of hot weather is affecting London. A UKHSA amber heat-health alert is active from 9am 29 July to 9am 30 July 2026, though no Met Office red or amber weather warning is currently in force.
How hot does London get in a heatwave?
This spell is forecast to peak around 33°C on 29 July. The late-June 2026 spell was far more intense, setting a UK record of 37.7°C, and the UK’s all-time record is 40.3°C, set on 19 July 2022.
How long will this heatwave last?
This spell is expected to ease by 30 July. Temperatures should settle into the mid-to-high 20s°C over the weekend, matching how the two earlier 2026 spells broke within about a week.
What counts as a heatwave in London?
At least three consecutive days at or above 28°C. That is among the highest regional thresholds anywhere in the UK, under the Met Office’s official definition.
Do London hotels have air conditioning?
Many do not, particularly older, budget, and boutique properties. Filter specifically for air conditioning when you book, and check recent reviews to confirm the rooms are cooled, not just the lobby.
Does the London Underground have air conditioning?
Seven lines do not: Bakerloo, Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly, Victoria, and Waterloo & City. The Elizabeth line and the sub-surface lines (Circle, District, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan) are cooled.
Is it safe to travel to London during a heatwave?
For most healthy travellers, yes, with precautions. Hydrate, avoid the midday sun, use air-conditioned museums and shaded riverside spots during peak heat, and take extra care with children, older travellers, and anyone with health conditions.
What should I pack for a London heatwave?
A refillable water bottle, light breathable clothing, a sun hat, and high-SPF sunscreen. Add a handheld fan for the Tube and a light layer for the few heavily air-conditioned indoor spaces.
What can I do in London during a heatwave?
Visit air-conditioned museums like the V&A, or swim at a lido such as Brockwell or Hampstead. The Southbank and a river boat are also good ways to catch a breeze during the hottest hours.
Plan your London trip with Wego
A heatwave does not have to derail a great London trip, as long as you book smart. Compare air-conditioned hotels in London and the latest flights to London on Wego, and keep an eye on your route with the flight tracker if the heat starts to bite.
Sources
- UKHSA — Weather Health Alerts: Heat, London
- GOV.UK — UKHSA updates heat-health alerts across England
- Met Office — London forecast
- Time Out London — Heatwave July 2026: peak temperature and end date
- Met Office — Red warning for extreme heat issued for a record third consecutive day
- Met Office — June 2026 heatwave: a recap of the temperature records
- Wikipedia — 2026 United Kingdom heatwaves
- London Now — Seven Tube lines that have no air conditioning
- NHS — Heat exhaustion and heatstroke
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
