Large parts of the UK are set to bake in temperatures above 30C later this week, with the Met Office forecasting highs of up to 35C on Thursday as the country's third heatwave in just seven weeks intensifies.
Forecasters say high pressure will become firmly established across the UK by midweek, bringing prolonged sunshine, light winds and steadily rising temperatures. While the hottest conditions will be focused across southern and central England, the heat will also spread into Wales, northern England and parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland.
According to the Met Office forecast map for 4pm on Thursday, 11 locations are expected to reach 31C or above, with 35C possible in the hottest spots.
Elsewhere, temperatures are expected to reach around 29C in Manchester, Leeds, Lincoln, Boston, Newtown, Exeter and Rochester, while Norwich is forecast to see 28C and Brighton 27C.
The Met Office said the week would begin with a north-south split, with cloud and outbreaks of rain affecting northern Britain before warmer air spreads steadily northwards as the jet stream shifts towards Iceland.
By Wednesday, most of the UK is expected to enjoy settled weather and sunshine, with only the far north and northwest of Scotland likely to remain cloudier with occasional rain.
The hottest weather is expected on Thursday and Friday, with temperatures widely reaching 33C to 34C across southern England and Wales and a small chance of 35C in the hottest inland locations.
Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Steven Keates said: "Parts of the UK are entering heatwave conditions: the third heatwave in the UK so far this year. However, unlike the May and June heatwaves, we are not expecting this heatwave to be record-breaking.
"Temperatures this week are not expected to reach the highs we witnessed last month, though parts of southern England in particular are likely to see several days in the low 30s Celsius, and a few places could reach 34-35C later this week."
He added that while overnight temperatures would be lower than during June's heatwave, some larger towns and cities could remain in the high teens overnight, with a small chance of tropical nights where temperatures do not fall below 20C.
The Met Office said much of England and Wales is expected to experience heatwave conditions this week, with the heat also extending into parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland where temperatures could climb into the upper 20s.
The hot spell is forecast to continue into the weekend before becoming more humid, with an increasing chance of showers or isolated thunderstorms early next week. Temperatures are then expected to ease slightly, although many areas should remain warm and largely dry.
