UK ‘set to experience hottest day of the year’

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

Temperatures could soar to more than 34C in some parts of the country on Wednesday, beating the 33C recorded at Porthmadog in North Wales on June 28.

Across Yorkshire the rain will clear tomorrow with spells of hot sunshine with the maximum temperature of 28C, according to the Met Office.

It will then continue to remain warm throughout the week with intermittent rain and showers.

Forecaster Alex Burkill said: “It does look likely it will be at least 33C 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.

Meteorologists said there is a chance of hitting 34C or 35C, which could put Britons in line for the hottest day since the mercury hit 34.5C at Heathrow on June 21 last year. The hottest July day on record is 36.7C, 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.

“Whether or not it will happen is where the uncertainty is.”

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 10C higher than average for this time of year.