Greenpeace UK released thermal camera footage showing London street surfaces reaching temperatures as high as 62°C [2] during a record heatwave.
These images highlight the disparity between air temperature and surface heat, illustrating how urban infrastructure traps heat and increases risks to public health. The footage serves as a visual warning about the intensifying impact of climate change on densely populated cities.
The recordings captured extreme heat across several high-traffic areas, including Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Circus, and Regent Street [1]. Thermal imaging showed that while the air temperature hovered around 35°C [3], the ground temperatures in these locations typically ranged between 50°C and 60°C [1].
Public transport hubs were also documented to show the scale of the heat absorption. The footage includes images from bus stops and major railway stations, specifically Highbury & Islington and King’s Cross [1]. These surfaces, often composed of asphalt and concrete, act as thermal masses that radiate heat back into the environment.
Greenpeace UK filmed the sequences to document the extreme conditions of urban surfaces [1]. The organization said it used the data to raise awareness about how record-breaking heatwaves affect the physical landscape of the city, creating what the footage depicts as an "infernal" landscape.
The disparity between the 35°C air temperature [3] and the 62°C peak ground temperature [2] demonstrates the urban heat island effect. This phenomenon occurs when buildings and roads absorb and re-emit the sun's heat more effectively than natural landscapes.
“London street surfaces reaching temperatures as high as 62°C”
This data illustrates the 'urban heat island' effect, where man-made materials like asphalt absorb significantly more solar radiation than green spaces. When surface temperatures exceed 60°C, it creates a dangerous environment for pedestrians and can exacerbate respiratory and cardiovascular stress, suggesting that future urban planning must prioritize permeable, reflective, or green surfaces to mitigate extreme heat.
