Capital of Cool: a Thames plunge - and Trafalgar Square crowds dip into opera

Teenagers look to keep cool in sweltering temperatures with a Thames dip

12 April 2012

The heatwave warning alert was raised from level two to level three today as London got set for more baking temperatures.

The highest temperatures will be to the west of the capital, where 31C or 32C (90F) should be reached. London will see temperatures of up to 33C (91F) by tomorrow.

Eddy Carroll, chief forecaster at The Met Office, said: "Temperatures are likely to peak today and tomorrow, reaching 32C (90F) before becoming less hot by the weekend as noticeably fresher conditions with the risk of showers push east across the country." The highest alert level is level four.

Teenagers found the coolest spot in London by taking a plunge in the Thames, at Hampton Wick, while others opted for a balmy evening in the open at Trafalgar Square, lats night, watching a live relay of La Traviata from the Royal Opera House.

More pictures: Heatwave hits London

Today, temperatures were again expected to match or exceed yesterday, the hottest day of the year so far with 31.8C (89.24F) recorded at Wisley in Surrey.

As ice cream and cold drinks manufacturers celebrated, forecasters said the heatwave would continue until at least the weekend, and that June had been the hottest, driest, sunniest month for three years. The TUC urged employers to allow staff to wear shorts as NHS Direct said it had received hundreds of calls from people suffering from the heat.

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