UK could see hottest June day in 40 years as temperatures soar towards 36C record

BRITAIN may be set to sizzle in the hottest June day for more than 40 years.

Temperatures are tipped to rocket towards 36C as the country continues to bask in a summer heatwave.

Thursday could set a new record above the hottest June day ever when temperatures hit 35.6C in 1976.

It would also beat last year's hottest June day when highs of around 34C were recorded at Heathrow, West London, on June 29.

The hottest day of the year so far was 28.9C in May, but tomorrow's temperatures are due to soar past that and hit 32C before climbing even higher on Thursday.

HEATWAVE BRITAIN

Met Office forecaster Luke Miall said: "It's likely tomorrow will beat that in the South, do it again on Wednesday and then again on Thursday.

"Thursday will probably be the hottest day in the region of 33 or 34 degrees".

But he added "that's not quite the June record from 1976".

Across the UK, sunseekers have flocked to beaches and parks to soak up the summer rays today.

Brits cooled off with a pint of beer or a dip in the sea as the hot weather continued.

England and Wales will stay warm this evening but could and occasional rain could hit northern and western Scotland and parts of Northern Ireland.

The UK's balmy weather is likely to cool by the weekend, with fresher air cooling the country down.

The hot spell has sparked concerns about wildfires and the wellbeing of elderly residents cooped up indoors during the UK's coronavirus lockdown.

And the Met Office has warned sunseekers to take care while outdoors in the next few days.

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has warned against starting campfires which can easily get out of control.

The NFCC said: "The weather is forecast to improve and, although we've had our fair share of rain recently, the risk of wildfires remains.

"These fires are often preventable, so if you are enjoying the countryside please be wildfire-aware and look out for our advice."

People with elderly relatives should make sure they keep cool during the lockdown, Age UK has warned.

The sizzling conditions are due to air arriving from the Atlantic and warming up as it moves across the UK.

Brits can enjoy lasting hot weather and balmy nights until at least Friday.

But there could be an increased risk of storms by the end of the week.

Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Matthew Lehnert, said: "We’re also seeing an increased risk of thunderstorms towards the end of the week which is expected to bring an end to the very warm and sunny weather."

'HEALTH ALERT'

The Met Office issued the level-two warning which says there is a 80 per cent probability of heat-health criteria being met between 9am on Wednesday and 9pm on Friday.

The rare alert is triggered when the risk is 60 per cent or above for threshold temperatures being reached in one or more regions on at least two consecutive days and the intervening night.

“This is an important stage for social and healthcare services who will be working to ensure readiness and swift action to reduce harm from a potential heatwave,” the Met Office said.

It is working with Public Health England to help healthcare services prepare for periods of “extreme temperature”.

The UK will be hotter than the Bahamas and Ibiza this week - and forecasters have predicted we may even see the warmest June day in 44 years.

The mercury might climb over 34C, meaning it's possible Brits will bask in record-breaking temperatures.

The hottest June day on record was in 1976, when temperatures reached a sweltering 35.6C.

But even if it's not quite that hot this week, Thursday looks set to be the warmest day of the year so far.

A high of 28.9C was recorded on May 29 at Dawyck, Scottish Borders.

It'll also be warmer in Britain this week than West End in the Bahamas, where it's set to reach 29C.

Met Office forecaster Nicola Maxey said there's the "potential" for 33C on Wednesday.

It'll be hotter still on Thursday, when both the Met Office and BBC weatherman Derek Brockway have predicted highs of around 34C.

"The last time we had temperatures similar to this in June was last year," Ms Maxey said.

"Highs of around 34C were recorded in London at Heathrow on June 29 2019."

Temperatures will be highest in England's South, the South East, the Midlands and parts of the North.

Met Office forecaster Luke Miall said: "We've got high pressure to the South East of the UK over the next few days which is going to be drawing our air up from the continent", and the warmer climates of France and Spain.

Tuesday's top temperature is expected to be around 29C in the South East of England, with other areas quite widely getting into the mid 20s, the forecaster said.

The hottest day of the year so far was 28.9 degrees reached last month, and Mr Miall explained: "It's likely tomorrow will beat that in the South, do it again on Wednesday and then again on Thursday.

"Thursday will probably be the hottest day in the region of 33 or 34 degrees", but he added "that's not quite the June record from 1976".

With the dry and sunny weather expected and the Government's Covid-19 alert level lowered to three, emergency services across the country are urging people to continue to respect the two-metre social-distancing restriction.

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has also warned against starting campfires which can easily get out of control, and to call 999 immediately if you spot a fire.

The NFCC said: "The weather is forecast to improve and, although we've had our fair share of rain recently, the risk of wildfires remains.

"These fires are often preventable, so if you are enjoying the countryside please be wildfire-aware and look out for our advice."