The fourth heatwave of the summer is set to peak today with some parts of the UK potentially reaching 34C (93.2F).
An amber heat alert remains in force until 6pm in the Midlands, London and the South East, and the east of England.
Tuesday’s temperatures reached 33.4C in Benson in Oxfordshire and Ross-on-Wye in Herefordshire, while Wednesday’s highs are likely to be further north.
Met Office meteorologist Marco Petagna said Lincolnshire and Yorkshire could see 33C or 34C (91-93F).
People boating on the River Medway in Tonbridge, Kent, on Wednesday. Pic: PA
Despite the heat, there could be showers in the South East in the afternoon, as well as in Scotland, where a yellow alert for thunderstorms covers much of the country from 2pm until midnight.
It’s predicted to cool by a degree or two as the week goes – but will stay very warm.
“On Thursday, there will still be a few showers, particularly in the North, and it will not be quite as hot, but temperatures will still peak around 29C to 30C in East and South East England,” said Petagna.
“Friday looks mostly fine, with very hot sunshine in the South and South East, where temperatures could reach 31C, while Scotland will see highs in the low 20s.”
The UK Health Authority’s amber warning advises that people over 65 or those with serious health conditions could be at greater risk due to the heat – and there could be more demand on health and social care services.
A less serious yellow heat health alert is also in place in the North East, North West, Yorkshire, the Humber, and the South West.
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The National Drought Group – which includes the Met Office, water firms and others – also met on Tuesday over what it said was now a “nationally significant incident” in England.
Five areas remain in drought and six more are in prolonged dry weather status.
The group said it had been the driest six months to July since 1976, and the latest heatwave was putting more pressure on water supplies.
A hosepipe ban remains in place in Yorkshire, while Thames Water, South East Water and Southern Water have bans in certain postcodes.
