SCORCHING temperatures are forecast today in a sweltering start to the week – which could be the hottest of the year so far.
The Met Office says some parts of the UK could exceed 35C after thousands of Brits flocked to beaches over the weekend to soak up the summer rays.
Huge crowds enjoy the warm weather on Jubilee Beach in Southend on Sunday[/caption]
A woman in the crowd with an ice cream during the Glastonbury Festival[/caption]
A person uses an umbrella to shield themself from the sun as they wait at the Wimbledon queue camping field[/caption]
Britain is expected to be hotter than holiday hotspots like Ibiza, where highs of 29C are forecast – with revellers returning home from Glastonbury and Wimbledon kicking off.
Charlwood in Surrey recorded the hottest temperature of the year so far at 33.2C on June 21.
Meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said: “Temperatures climbing quickly through the day today – but it’s not dry everywhere, we do have low pressure across the northwest of the UK, introducing some cloud and heavy rain across Northern Ireland and Scotland as we move through the day.
“But it is a hot picture as we move across England and Wales, particularly towards the southeast where temperatures could be around 34C or maybe even 35C.”
He went on to say temperatures will certainly be “higher than the weekend” and the “mid to high 20s for many of us and then the low 30s across central and eastern parts of England”, the hottest towards London.
Mr Dewhurst added: “The heat of the day could spark one or two heavy showers across eastern England as we move through the afternoon into the evening.”
A tropical night may also be on the cards, with parts of England to stay above 20C overnight into Tuesday, the Met Office said.
He said those leaving Glastonbury after the annual music festival drew to an end last night could be doing so in highs of 29C.
Since 1960, UK temperatures in June have surpassed 34C in only three years, with the hottest being 35.6C, recorded on June 28 1976.
Wimbledon is set for its hottest opening day ever on Monday, with temperatures expected to surpass the previous record of 29.3C set on June 25 2001.
The hottest day the tournament has seen was on July 1 2015 when temperatures reached 35.7C.
A heatwave in the UK is met when a location records a period of at least three consecutive days, with temperature values meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature thresholds.
Across the north and west of the UK this is 25C, and across Greater London and the Home Counties, 28C.
A second amber heat health alert in two weeks came into force on Friday.
The alert, which covers London, the East Midlands, the South East, the South West and the East of England, will last until 6pm on Tuesday.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) also issued a yellow alert for Yorkshire and Humber and the West Midlands for the same time period, warning of significant impacts on health and social care services.
An amber alert was previously issued for all regions in England on June 19, the first time it had been used since September 2023.
London Fire Brigade assistant commissioner Thomas Goodall said: “London is already facing its second heatwave of the year and we know that people will be looking forward to getting outside to enjoy the wonderful weather.
“But the high temperatures and low rainfall in recent months means the current risk of wildfires is severe.
“So far this year, firefighters have responded to around 14 wildfires in the capital.
“There have also been countless callouts to smaller fires involving grass, trees and in other outdoor spaces, as well as in people’s gardens.
“During this latest heatwave, it is important everyone acts responsibly to prevent fires from occurring.
“As the weather has been so dry, it only takes a few sparks to lead to a fire spreading rapidly.
“In London, this is can be dangerous because so many of our green spaces lie close to homes and other properties.”
UK 5 day weather forecast
Today:
Sunny and hot with light winds for England and Wales with isolated heavy showers possible in the afternoon, particularly in northern and eastern England. Cooler and fresher in the northwest with a band of locally heavy rain gradually moving east.
Tonight:
Rain clearing Scotland, but cloud extending across northern England and Wales, bringing a little drizzle at times. Drier and clearer elsewhere. Very warm and muggy in the south and southeast.
Tuesday:
Hot and muggy in the southeast with the odd heavy shower possible. Bright and fresh in the northwest. Elsewhere, rather cloudy with patchy light rain or drizzle over the hills.
Outlook for Wednesday to Friday:
Fresher for all, with cloudier skies bringing spells of rain, these sometimes heavy on Wednesday and Friday, but some drier, brighter intervals as well. Temperatures near or slightly above average.
