Met Office predicts UK heatwave to exceed 30C in new forecast
The Met Office has said "much of the UK will be in heatwave conditions by the coming weekend".
The weather forecaster says heat will build through the week, with temperatures expected to exceed 30C by Saturday.
It is predicted they will be the highest temperatures of the year so far.
Tony Wisson, Deputy Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, said: 'The rising temperatures this week are a combination of several factors.
"Over the next few days, settled weather and warm sunshine will allow temperatures to rise day on day.
"Temperatures will then rise further towards the end of the week as winds turn more southerly and even warmer air over continental Europe will be drawn across the UK.
"We could very well see several places exceeding 30°C, which will be the highest temperatures of the year so far.'
In London – where the threshold is 28C – temperatures could peak at 29C on Thursday and 31C on Friday, before hitting 32C on Saturday.
It's heating up this week 🌡️
Temperatures will be on an upwards trajectory towards 30°C for some pic.twitter.com/uUI5DbAjVm
The hot weather will then spread further north, with Manchester and Newcastle enjoying temperatures into the late 20s by the weekend.
The heatwave means some parts of the country will surpass temperatures in holiday hotspots such as Lisbon in Portugal and Barcelona in Spain, which are predicted to reach 29C on Saturday, and Nice, France, where it will be 30C.
A heatwave in the UK is when there are at least three consecutive days with temperature values meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature threshold for a set location.
Across much of the north and west of the UK, this threshold is 25C, but across Greater London and the Home Counties, the threshold is higher, at 28C.
Mr Wisson added: 'By the beginning of the weekend, we could very well be meeting heatwave thresholds in places.
"While the warmest temperatures are likely across London and the east of England, by Saturday heatwave thresholds could be reached across much of the Midlands, low-lying areas bordering the Peak District and even parts of east Wales.'
The heat is expected to peak this weekend before easing early next week.
The Met Office says high pressure is expected to move away from the UK into early next week, resulting in temperatures falling.
However, it added that there is "uncertainty in how quickly this happens".
Mr Wisson said: 'Temperatures are likely to peak in the low 30s Celsius this weekend before easing sometime early week.
"Some forecast models even allow temperatures to rise into the mid-30s of Celsius by Monday.
"While this is feasible, it is considered a lower-likelihood scenario.'
The NHS suggests staying out of the heat if possible, adding that it is best to stay shaded, particularly between 11am and 3pm.
A post shared by NHS (@nhs)
It also recommends using sunscreen, wearing a hat and light clothes, and avoiding exercise or activity that makes you hotter.
To cool yourself down, have cold food and drinks and have a cool shower or put cool water on your skin or clothes.
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Avoid alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks.
It is also vital to keep your living space cool, closing windows during the day and opening them at night when it is cooler.
Electric fans can also help if the temperature is below 35 degrees.
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