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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
National
Arielle Domb

London weather LIVE: Hottest day of year as temperature hits 20C on spring equinox

London Pollution Imperial College London

The spring equinox on Thursday looks set to be the warmest day of 2025 with temperatures predicted to peak at 21C in London.

The expected rise in temperatures coincides with the spring equinox which is the first day of astronomical spring.

By 11am, London had already reached 20C, according to the Met Office. That would make Thursday the hottest day of the year, exceeding 19.7C recorded in Crosby, Merseyside, on March 9.

With temperatures set to rise further this afternoon, the UK’s spring equinox temperature record - 21.5C in 1972 - could potentially be broken.

Meanwhile, a high air pollution alert has been issued for the capital. It comes after forecasters from Imperial College London detected rising air pollution levels from mainland Europe.

London reaches 21 degrees

14:43 , Arielle Domb

The Met Office recorded a temperature of 21C degrees in Northolt.

Hottest day of the year

14:11

It appears to be the hottest day of the year so far. The Met Office has recorded 20 degrees in London.

Before today, the hottest day in the UK was March 9, when the temperature peaked at 19.7 degrees.

Druid Order spring equinox celebration

13:58 , Arielle Domb

Members of the Druid Order took part in a spring equinox celebration at Tower Hill.

The Druid Order is a spiritual tradition inspired by the earliest native spirituality of Britain and Northwestern Europe.

(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

London spring equinox scenes

13:30 , Arielle Domb

Flowers bloom at Westminster Abbey.

Temperatures hit 20 degrees

13:29 , Arielle Domb

London temperatures hit 20 degrees at noon.

The Met Office predicts that the temperature will remain at this level until 5.00pm.

Advice issued from London Ambulance Service

12:07 , Arielle Domb

London Ambulance Service has advised that people suffering from asthma or other breathing problems take preventer medication and carry their medication.

This comes after warnings of high air pollution in the capital.

Could this be the UK's hottest spring equinox?

11:49 , Arielle Domb

The hottest-ever spring equinox in the UK was recorded on 20 March 1972, when temperatures reached 21.5 degrees.

With temperatures set to rise this afternoon, it’s possible that this record could be broken.

19 degrees at 11.00am

11:42 , Arielle Domb

London hit 19 degrees at 11.00am.

The temperature is expected to peak at 2.00pm today at 20 degrees.

How are you enjoying the sun?

11:27

How are you enjoying the sunny day in London?

Share what you’re up to today to be featured in the Standard’s live blog.

Send any images of your sunny day to sean.martin@standard.co.uk

Hotter than Madrid

10:47 , Arielle Domb

Temperatures in London are expected to be hotter than Madrid today, as the UK capital experiences a mini heatwave.

Best London pubs for a sunny after work pint

10:08 , Arielle Domb

Fancy a pint in the sun after work today?

We’ve rounded up London’s best pubs, with plenty of outdoor seating and beer gardens to enjoy the city’s mini heatwave.

Read it here.

Hotter than the Algarve

10:02 , Arielle Domb

London is set to be warmer than the Algarve today.

18 degrees by noon

10:00 , Arielle Domb

The temperature in London was 14 degrees at 10.00am, with sunny intervals.

Sun and clear skies are expected from 11.00am, with a rise in temperature to 16 degrees. At noon, London is expected to be 18 degrees.

Londoners share photos of blue skies and daffodils

09:55 , Arielle Domb

Life is better in the sunshine, according to Londoners.

High air pollution in London "rare occurrence"

09:52 , Arielle Domb

High air pollution in London is a "rare occurrence”, according to an air quality report published last year.

The report said that 19 high pollution alerts were issued between 2018 and 2023.

Blue skies and blossom in Balham

09:45 , Arielle Domb

Londoners enjoy blue skies and blossom across the capital.

Stonehenge celebrations

09:44 , Arielle Domb

Stonehenge was alive with music and dancing this morning, as people flocked from across the country to celebrate the spring equinox.

Where to see cherry blossom this spring?

09:38 , Arielle Domb

As London enjoys blue skies and warm weather, we’ve rounded up the best places to see cherry blossom this spring.

Cherry blossom in Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew (Victoria Jones/PA Wire)

Rising pollen levels pose risk to asthma sufferers

09:32

Londoners who experience asthma may be more likely to experience an asthma attack as pollen levels rise.

Find out why and how to protect yourself here.

Sadiq Khan addresses high air pollution alert on X

09:17

Sadiq Khan has urged Londoners to avoid unnecessary car journeys, switch engines off while stationary and avoid burning wood or garden waste, following a high air pollution alert.

Scenes from London's nature reserves, botanical gardens and parks

09:14 , Arielle Domb

Otters enjoy the mini heatwave at London Wetland Centre

Severe hay fever season

09:11 , Arielle Domb

Hay fever season will be worse this year, according to Sky News.

“Trees that produce allergenic pollen in the UK tend to have alternating high and low years of severity - this year is a high year," Dr Beverley Adams-Groom, senior palynologist and pollen forecaster at the University of Worcester told Sky News.

Climate change could also worsen hay fever, according to the UK Health Security Agency.

14 degrees at 10.00am

09:05 , Arielle Domb

London is expected to be 14 degrees at 10.00am.

Temperatures are predicted to reach 16 degrees at 11.00am, rising to 18 degrees at noon.

Temperatures are expected to peak between 2.00pm and 4.00pm at 20 degrees.

94% adults happy looking at blossom

09:02

The National Trust has advised Brits to step away from their desks and take a blossom break.

Research conducted by the National Trust found that while nearly everyone surveyed said they felt better after taking breaks in nature, only one in 10 did so.

A YouGov poll has also found that nearly 94% of UK adults say the sight of blossom makes them happy.

Scenes from London's botanical gardens

08:51

Magnolias are coming into bloom in Kew Gardens.

Enjoy blossom updates on Kew Gardens’ Instagram page.

How does high air pollution impact our brains?

08:49

Struggling to focus? It could due to the high air pollution.

A study has found that high air pollution impacts people’s ability to interpret emotions or focus on performing a task.

Find out here.

Stonehenge spring equinox celebrations

08:38 , Arielle Domb

Early risers began their day at Stonehenge this morning, with music and dancing to welcome in the spring equinox.

How to protect yourself from hay fever

08:35 , Arielle Domb

London’s pollen count is high today, causing havoc for those who suffer from hay fever (approximately 20 percent of the population).

We’ve rounded up the best remedies for those experiencing hay fever and allergies so you can make the most of the city’s mini heatwave.

What is the spring equinox?

08:30 , Arielle Domb

Today is the spring equinox. But what does the term mean?

The spring equinox, also known as the vernal equinox, is the astronomical start of spring. It happens when the sun crosses the celestial equator — a notional extension of Earth’s actual equator — moving northwards.

Find out more here.

Hotter than Ibiza

08:27 , Arielle Domb

London is expected to be hotter than Ibiza today.

According to predictions by the Met Office, London is expected to reach 20 degrees this afternoon, 2 degrees hotter than Ibiza.

London's parks in full spring

08:22

Londoners can enjoy blue skies and daffodils in St James’ Park today.

Thursday morning forecast

08:20 , Arielle Domb

It was 9 degrees and sunny at 8.00am on Thursday morning.

Temperatures are expected to rise to 12 degrees by 9.00am.

By noon, the temperature is expected to reach 17 degres.

High pollution alert

08:12

While Londoners celebrate the warm weather, City Hall cautions people to be aware of a high pollution alert on Thursday.

Imperial College London forecasters identified a rise in air pollution from mainland Europe.

Scientists said that light winds and local pollution would contribute to high pollution levels in the capital.

Sunrise

08:08 , Arielle Domb

Londoners were treated to a spectacular pink sunrise this morning.

High pollen forecast

08:07 , Arielle Domb

Hayfever season is officially here.

The Met Office has begun issuing pollen forecasts. On Thursday morning, it issued a high pollen forecast in London.

The pollen forecast is expected to drop to medium on Friday.

Good morning

08:06 , Arielle Domb

Good morning! Londoners can expect to see bright blue skies and warm weather throughout the day.

Follow for live updates on the city’s mini-heatwave.

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