Ready for hottest ever July day? 60% chance of temperatures hitting record-breaking 37C

FORECASTERS today said there was a “60 per cent chance” Britain could bake in the hottest ever July day this week.

The Met Office said temperatures could hit 37C on Thursday in the SouthEast and London — toppling the current July record of 36.7C which was set at Heathrow airport four years ago.

It also claimed there was a “30 per cent chance” Thursday’s temperatures could break the record for the UK’s all-time hottest day, when 38.5C was recorded in Faversham, Kent, in August 2003.

Some forecast sites, such as weather. com, claim temperatures could be as high as 40C.

This could mean London would be hotter than typical European holiday destinations. Athens will see the mercury hit 34C, while the forecast for Lisbon is 28C and Ibiza 32C.

The three-day heatwave officially started today, with sunny and clear conditions bringing temperatures of about 33C in London.

A heatwave is when conditions hit over 25C on three consecutive days.

Londoners were set for an uncomfortable night, with temperatures set to stay at about 25C, potentially making it the hottest night on record. The hottest UK evening since records began was 23.9C, set in Brighton in 1990. The warmest in London was set in 1948, when temperatures were 23.3C. Tomorrow will be slightly cooler at 31C before temperatures soar again on Thursday.

The Met Office has today issued an amber heat alert for the East and SouthEast of England as well as the East Midlands. Amber is the second-highest level. Those in affected areas have been told to look out for older people living alone, drink plenty of water and stay out of the sun.

Public Health England renewed warnings about the heat, urging people to keep hydrated, find shade and take protection against the sun.

The Dogs Trust has also urged owners not leave pets alone in a hot car even for a few minutes as it can prove fatal.

Pollen and UV levels are also set to be high, the Met Office said.

But the warm conditions could lead to thundery showers in the West from tomorrow, Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna added.

He said: “On Thursday we’ll see an East and West split with showers in the western parts of England but the eastern parts will look very hot with 36C to 37C.” The temperatures have been caused by a plume of Saharan air being brought north to the UK, having already hit parts of southern Europe.

Wildfires continue in the Castelo Branco district of Portugal, where at least 33 people have been injured. Authorities appeared to be getting the fires under control, but Portuguese prime minister António Costa said weather conditions were limiting progress. The blaze has scorched 8,000 hectares — the same area as 10,000 football pitches.

A man aged 55 has been detained on suspicion of starting the fire.