
Rich Londoners Find Money Can't Buy ACs As Temperatures Soar
Updated on
Save
As Londoners struggle to adapt to rising temperatures, some of the city's wealthier denizens are finding that money can't always deliver the relief they seek.
With temperatures in some parts of the London Underground recently exceeding levels deemed fit for cattle, climate change is well and truly transforming the experience of living in Britain's capital. The response has been a surge in demand for air-conditioning units in high-end homes.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
9 minutes ago
- Yahoo
How Hurricane Erin 'jet streak' will mean 'big change' in UK weather
The Met Office has said that Hurricane Erin has the potential to bring more unsettled conditions to the UK. A "jet streak" caused by Hurricane Erin is forecast to bring a "big change" to the UK's weather next week, the Met Office has said. The category two storm has brought strong winds and possible life-threatening floods to the Caribbean and east coast of the US, prompting evacuations and the closure of beaches. While it is not forecast to make landfall in the US, the remnants of the hurricane could be seen in the UK by next week, according to the Met Office. And as it makes its way across the Atlantic this week, Hurricane Erin is set to be picked up by the jet stream, said meteorologist Aidan McGivern. If it does, this would create what is known as a "jet streak", an area of the jet stream where winds flow more quickly than in surrounding areas. "Exactly how that manifests, day-to-day, it's too early to say because there are so many variables involved, not least, how an ex-hurricane is going to interact with a jet stream, and how the jet stream is going to interact with an ex-hurricane," McGivern said. "But, what looks most likely is that that ex-hurricane... Fuels the jet stream. The jet stream brings a big change to the UK's weather into next week, brings an increased likelihood of low pressure, showers, spells of rain and increased wind as well." Met Office meteorologist Marco Petagna said the UK 'could well see some heavy rain', with 'uncertainty' kicking in from late on Sunday. He added: 'There's a risk of some rain developing, a potential that then things will turn increasingly unsettled. We may need some rainfall warnings further down the line, but it's too early to say.' Met Office downplays 600-mile band of rain Some media reports, citing weather data from WXCharts, claim the effects of Erin might be felt in the UK in the shape of a rain storm either up to 600 miles long hitting the country on 28 August. The reports claim it will bring heavy rainfall to cities such as Belfast, Glasgow, Birmingham, London and Manchester, with Cardiff and Bristol being particularly badly affected. But the Met Office told Yahoo News UK that an accurate forecast is too difficult to predict this far in advance. A spokesperson said the date reported when the rain storm could hit "is a way away and weather forecasts become clearer closer to the time". BBC meteorologist Simon King also said that the low-pressure system – now over 3,000 miles away – won't bring extreme weather as it is 'physically impossible'. He explained: 'Rain doesn't fall in a continuous sheet stretching for hundreds of miles so there'll be no 'wall of rain' to come with it either.' While Erin is unlikely to bring extreme weather, King does concede that it could result in wet and windy weather in the UK from the middle of next week. In its long-range forecast for Friday 22 August to Sunday 31 August, the Met Office says the beginning of this period will be marked by fine and dry weather. However, it says: "This will be increasingly eroded from the west as frontal systems start to move in from the Atlantic through the weekend, leading to more changeable conditions." In addition, a deep area of low pressure is likely in the North Atlantic Ocean because of Hurricane Erin. The forecast says: "The changeable period will likely continue through the last week of August, especially in the north and west, with a small chance of widely wetter and windier weather developing." What about this week? Following last week's fourth heatwave of the summer, the rest of this week is set to remain largely dry, following a warm start. Sunday's highest temperature was 27.7C in Somerset, while West Sussex and Inverness, Scotland, also reached 27C. Maximum temperatures are expected to fall to 24C by Wednesday and Thursday, the Met Office said, but could go back up to the high 20s again by the weekend, with a risk of rain in the far west on Sunday. How accurate are weather forecasts? The Met Office says that thanks to technology, its four-day forecast is now just as accurate as its one-day forecast was 30 years ago. It uses its Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) model for its forecasts, verified by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). The Met Office says that in the past 12 months that 92% of its three-hourly temperature forecasts - given between three to seven days ahead of time - have been accurate to within either 2°C above or below on the current day. However, it said that because weather is a "chaotic" system, the slightest shift in conditions can lead to inaccuracies in predicting what is to come, meaning it is better to rely on a number of forecast models as opposed to just one.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Sadiq Khan calls for joint action to tackle the growing threat of wildfires in the capital
Sadiq Khan has called for joint action to tackle the growing threat of wildfires in the capital, as the number of incidents has more than doubled over the past five years. With temperatures rising year on year and extreme heat becoming the new normal, the Mayor of London has said London must 'adapt to stay ahead of the risks', London Fire Brigade (LFB) has responded to 64 wildfires already this year, compared to just 19 in the entire summer of 2020 — a staggering 237 per cent increase. Firefighters tackled five wildfires in just three days earlier this month, prompting London Fire Brigade to suspect that some of the fires may have been started deliberately. Crews attended a series of wildfires at Wanstead Flats, with flames reaching the heights of trees in one case later referred to the Metropolitan Police. Large red flames had ripped through shrubs near a path at the park on Monday, with around 60 firefighters rushing to the scene. Since the start of June, nearly 80 fires in locations such as open grassland, scrubland, woodland, parks and other green spaces have been recorded as deliberate. While temperatures are expected to fall slightly in the next week, grassland continues to be a tinderbox, following weeks of sunshine and little rainfall. Sadiq Khan is now calling for better education for Londoners, greater partnership work and sustainable funding for fire services. City Hall and the London Fire Brigade are working closely with partners including the Natural Hazards Partnership, the Met Office and the UK Health Security Agency, to highlight risks and scale up resources in the event of a high demand incident, including flash flooding. The Mayor of London said: 'The climate crisis is having a devastating impact on our environment with temperatures rising in London, across the UK and around the world. 'Wildfires are raging across Europe engulfing green spaces, endangering homes, forcing evacuations and posing a genuine threat to life. This isn't a faraway issue, it's on our doorstep. 'London continues to experience wildfires during the summer months, and I'm determined to do everything possible to ensure the capital is as prepared as possible for the impact of climate change, wildfires and extreme heat. 'We've been working proactively with the London Fire Brigade and partners to ensure our city is ready to prevent and deal with wildfires. 'But everyone needs to do their bit. This means calling 999 if you see a wildfire, educating yourself on the risks and following key advice from the London Fire Brigade." London Fire Commissioner Jonathan Smith said: 'The risk of wildfires in London is increasing, driven by hotter, drier weather that makes it far easier for fires to start and spread rapidly. 'Thanks to record investment from the Mayor, we've strengthened our training and expanded our wildfire capabilities, introducing new equipment and trialling new response vehicles to keep Londoners safe. 'This includes specialist off-road 4x4 wildfire response vehicles to reach fires quickly in challenging terrain, drones providing real-time aerial mapping, and specialist hoses designed to protect people, property and green spaces. "As our climate changes, we must adapt and stay ahead of the risks. By working closely with communities, landowners and our partners, we can reduce the likelihood of wildfires and ensure that when they do occur, we are ready to respond effectively. 'The safety of Londoners will always be our highest priority, and we will continue to invest, develop and train to meet future challenges head on.'


CBS News
7 hours ago
- CBS News
Dangerous heat threatens Miami-Dade and Broward, advisory issued
With feels-like temperatures threatening to soar to 110 degrees, the National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe counties. The advisory is in effect from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The National Weather Service issues a heat advisory when the heat index, which combines temperatures and the humidity, is expected to reach 105 degrees or higher and last for at least two hours. A heat warning requires even more extreme conditions. South Florida residents are encouraged to take the necessary precautions to avoid heat exhaustion and heat illness. Stay hydrated, drink plenty of water, stay in the shade or air conditioning during the afternoon hours or take frequent breaks if you need to be outside.