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BRITAIN is set to swelter in 37C heat on the hottest July day EVER as schools break up for the first week of the holidays.

Hayfever and asthma sufferers have been advised to stay indoors as the temperatures soar this week.

 UK weather forecast - Sweltering conditions will sweep in as the African plume blows over the UK today, with this weather graphic showing hot conditions across the country this evening
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UK weather forecast - Sweltering conditions will sweep in as the African plume blows over the UK today, with this weather graphic showing hot conditions across the country this eveningCredit: Ventusky
 This Met Office weather map shows sweltering temperatures hitting the mid-twenties at 10pm tonight - as weather forecasters say record-breaking overnight conditions are expected
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This Met Office weather map shows sweltering temperatures hitting the mid-twenties at 10pm tonight - as weather forecasters say record-breaking overnight conditions are expectedCredit: Met Office

Meanwhile the Met Office predicts Brits are in store for an absolute scorcher over the next four days.

Forecaster Alex Burkill told the : “This is looking like a record-breaking week.

RECORD-BREAKING HIGHS

“There’s a strong chance we’ll hit an all-time maximum temperature for July on Thursday, and almost certain we’ll see the hottest day of the year so far.”

Experts said pollen levels could be “extremely hazardous” for the 5.4million asthma sufferers in the UK.

This is looking like a record-breaking week. There’s a strong chance we’ll hit an all-time maximum temperature for July on Thursday.

Alex Burkill, Met Office forecaster

Dr Andy Whittamore, clinical lead at Asthma UK and a practising GP, said: “We'd advise you to drink lots of water to prevent dehydration and plan any outdoor activities for earlier in the day when the air quality tends to be better."

Sweaty sleepers in the South of England and London will see highs of 25C from tonight into tomorrow morning, the Met Office said.

If the mercury reaches that mark as expected it would beat the warmest ever UK evening on record.

That was set back in 1948 - when temperatures reached a muggy 23.3C.

The warmest day of 2019 so far was June 29, when 34C was recorded at Heathrow and Northolt in London.

HEALTH WARNINGS

Intense heat is being brought north from a plume of Saharan air - which is already hitting parts of southern Europe with scorching conditions.

Warnings are in place this week as experts say while daytime temperatures are set to hit highs in the mid-30s - it will "feel like" 44C.

The high temperatures will come with sweltering humidity, prompting Public Health England (PHE) to issue a health warning.

PHE issued a level-2 "alert and readiness" warning - and older people have been advised to not go outside during the hottest part of the days this week.

'FEELS LIKE 44C'

 This three-day weather graphic shows temperatures forecacst for today, tomorrow and Wednesday
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This three-day weather graphic shows temperatures forecacst for today, tomorrow and Wednesday

Charts from Netweather show high levels of humidity could make temperatures "feel like" 111F (44C), before the end of next week.

The hottest day of the year is expected to fall on Wednesday - as the scorching weather front sweeps the country.

And temperatures will steadily rise throughout the week.

Today it is expected to be peak at 29C, while it will hit 33C on Tuesday 33C and on Wednesday it could reach a whopping 34C, according to The Weather Outlook.

If temperatures stay high in the same spots for three consecutive days, the Met Office deems it a heatwave.

There's a risk of some thundery showers developing through the rest of the week, there's a bit of uncertainty

Alex BurkillMet Office meteorologist

Mr Burkill said: "Monday will be wet and windy across northwestern parts of the UK, elsewhere there will be one or two showers but temperatures will be rising - we're looking at highs of 29C (84.2).

"On Tuesday the rain and strong winds in the North West will have eased and it will turn drier, elsewhere there should be lots of sunshine with highs of 33C (91.4F) or higher."

London and the South East have the greatest chance of getting to 33C (91.4F) on Tuesday, he said.

MINI HEATWAVE

Wednesday could reach 34C in the East and South East - topping this year's record high which was set at Heathrow and Northolt on June 29.

The hottest July day ever is 36.7C (98F) - a record that looks unlikely to be beaten this week.

Mr Burkill said: "There's a risk of some thundery showers developing through the rest of the week, there's a bit of uncertainty.

Mum Clare Pye and daughter Caitie take to the waves today to cool off along Great Yarmouth beach in Norfolk
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Mum Clare Pye and daughter Caitie take to the waves today along Great Yarmouth beach in NorfolkCredit: � Rob Colman 2019. No Syndication.
A beachgoer makes a splash while cooling off at Great Yarmouth beach in Norfolk
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A beachgoer makes a splash while cooling off at Great Yarmouth beach at the start of what could be a record-breaking weekCredit: � Rob Colman 2019. No Syndication.

"We could see some wet weather coming in from the west so things could turn a bit fresher, or the hot and sunny weather could continue.

"But it doesn't look like temperatures will get much hotter than 34C (93.2F)."

He added: "The hot weather could last through much of the next week and into next weekend or it could break down much earlier - there's a lot to play for."

A woman enjoys the sunshine in Westgate Gardens in Canterbury, Kent
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A woman enjoys the sunshine in Westgate Gardens in Canterbury, KentCredit: PA:Press Association
Met Office weather video explains how we define a UK heatwave


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