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Heatwave comparison New York vs London
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
New York's humid heat feels worse than London's dry oven-blast, says Guardian columnist Emma Brockes.
The comparison highlights how different cities cope with extreme heat and why it matters.
Background
The article compares the experience of heatwaves in New York and London, noting that while London's heat is dry and oven-like, New York's is humid and dense. The author, Emma Brockes, reflects on how New Yorkers are forced to talk about the weather due to the extreme conditions, and how air conditioning only partially mitigates the discomfort. The piece also touches on broader heatwave trends in Europe, with forecasts of high temperatures in France and other countries.
How it unfolded
- recentlyEmma Brockes writes about her two weeks in New York during a heatwave, describing the humid conditions as reminiscent of Mobile, Alabama, or Mumbai.
- recentlyShe returns to London and compares the dry heat there to an 'oven-blast', noting the difficulty in calling which is worse.
- Aug 9, 2026The New York Times reports that Europe is bracing for a new heatwave, with France expecting temperatures up to 40°C (104°F) later in the week.
Who’s saying what
- Columnist
- Emma Brockes suggests that New York's humid heat is more oppressive than London's dry heat, despite air conditioning.
- Weather services
- Météo-France warns that rising temperatures will dry out soils and increase vegetation vulnerability, raising fire danger.