UK set to bake as temperatures soar into the nineties

THE UK could this week see its hottest day of the year so far.

Temperatures could soar to more than 340C (93.20F) in some parts of the country on Wednesday, beating the 330C (91.40F) recorded at Porthmadog on June 28.

Met Office forecaster Alex Burkill said: “It does look likely it will be at least 330C at some point this week, most likely on Wednesday or Thursday, in the south-east and east, London, Essex, Kent, East Anglia and into Lincolnshire – and that would make it the hottest day we have had so far.” Temperatures are likely to be lower elsewhere.

Forecasters said there is a chance of hitting 340C or 350C (950F), which could put Britons in line for the hottest day since the mercury hit 34.50C (94.10F) at Heathrow on June 21 last year. The hottest July day on record is 36.70C (980F), which was reached at Heathrow on July 1, 2015.

The hot weather will lead to thunderstorms and it “could all happen on the same day”, Mr Burkill added.

He said: “The heat and humidity means there is a lot of energy in the air and a high risk of intense thunderstorms.”

Nearly all parts of the UK are seeing above-average temperatures, but it will be hot or very hot towards the east or south-east.

During the current heatwave UK temperatures have been approximately 100C higher than average for this time of year. Wales could jump to 260C (78.80F) or 270C (80.60F) instead of 19.20C (66.50F).

Mr Burkill also said the current run of fine weather looks set to continue. He said: “It always seems that when the schools break up that is when we get the bad weather, but in this instance that is not the case.”

However, sunbathers today have been warned UV levels are due to be “exceptionally” high.

The UV index shows levels are due to reach their second-highest level of “seven” in parts of the UK at around midday today in areas including Cardiff, Swansea and Pembroke.

Forecasters said level seven may occur in the UK on “exceptional days”, while eight is “rare”.

The forecast identifies the strength of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Its scale goes from one (low) to 11 (extreme).

In the UK, levels do not go above eight, indicating “very high”, while nine and 10 are common in the Mediterranean.

UV levels are affected by the position of the sun in the sky, cloud cover and amounts of ozone.

They usually peak in June, but this depends on the weather conditions.

According to the Met Office: “Sunlight is essential for health, but it also carries its risks.”