A heatwave which is forecast to bring the hottest temperatures this year is sweeping across the UK – with a record high expected as early as Tuesday.
After a weekend of wall-to-wall sunshine, temperatures particularly in London are today set to hit around 29C, meaning the capital is in line with holiday hot spots in southern Spain.
Met Office forecaster Mark Foster said it is possible “the hottest day for the year for all four countries could be bettered this week” in time for the knock-out stages of the World Cup.
He added: “There is a fairly good chance we will see the hottest day so far. There is a chance it could possibly be tomorrow.”
The highest temperature recorded in the UK so far this year is 29.1C at St James Park, central London, on April 19.
Very high levels of pollen and UV mean that hay fever sufferers are in for a difficult time this week and everyone should try to be careful they avoid burning in the sun, the Met Office has warned.
The top temperatures in Scotland and Northern Ireland this year were both recorded on May 29.
Achnagart in Ross and Cromarty, Scotland, boasted a temperature of 27.5C while the heat hit 25.3C in Castlederg in Co Tyrone.
People in Hawarden, Clwyd, enjoyed 26.8C, the top temperature in Wales this year, on May 27.
Temperatures are on Monday expected to reach around 29C around London and between 24C to 27C across England and Wales while Scotland in the south and south east could see around 25C to 26C. Northern Ireland is looking at 25C.
Higher temperatures are expected over the next days and the south west of England, the south and parts of Wales could enjoy 30C.
Urging everyone to take precautions, Foster said: “High pressure is going to dominate this week so we can expect very high levels of pollen and UV. If you are in the sun you have a greater chance of getting burnt in the short term.”
The heat the UK is having is homegrown as high pressure, according to the Met Office.
Long days, very still conditions and clear skies help June temperatures to get very intense. The sun in June is – relatively – the highest it gets in the sky and heat can build up over successive days.
Football fans basked in highs of 25C in parts of London and the south east on Sunday as England beat Panama 6-1.