London warns of high air pollution on hot day

A high air pollution warning has been issued for London as the city prepares for one of its hottest days of the year. City Hall announced this alert after rising pollution levels were detected coming from mainland Europe. Temperatures are expected to reach 21C today, making it hotter than popular holiday spots such as Ibiza and the Algarve. Authorities are urging Londoners to turn off their vehicle engines while stuck in traffic to help reduce pollution. They are also advised not to burn wood or garden waste. Light winds and local pollution sources are contributing to poor air quality, according to scientists. Mete Coban, the deputy mayor for environment and energy, emphasized the importance of protecting vulnerable residents. He noted that toxic air is linked to around 4,000 premature deaths each year in London. The mayor's office is taking various measures to tackle this issue. Despite the warm weather, a drop in temperatures is expected over the weekend, with forecasts suggesting it could fall to 15C on Sunday accompanied by rain. Meteorologist Marco Petagna described Thursday as potentially the warmest day of the year with plenty of sunshine. City Hall uses a model to predict pollution levels and can send alerts to residents through social media and public transport systems. Recent reports indicate that high pollution events have become rare in London, with only 19 high alerts issued between 2019 and 2023.