Image source, PA MediaThe Met Office has expanded its amber extreme heat warning for Monday and Tuesday as forecasts suggest temperatures could climb to 36 or 37C (97-99F) in parts of the UK.
The warning means there are likely to be widespread impacts on people and infrastructure, with the risk of adverse health effects and disruption to travel.
Some locations could see temperatures above 30C (86F) for six or seven consecutive days, with overnight temperatures remaining above 20C (68F) in places.
It is consistent with predictions that heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense globally due to human-induced climate change.
The heat is spreading northwards from France, where an intense hot spell affecting much of western Europe threatens to break temperature records.
Temperatures to climb after a cooler Saturday
For a hot spell to officially become a heatwave, temperatures must exceed a threshold – which varies from 25-28C (77-82F) in different parts of the country – for three consecutive days.
A slightly cooler Saturday meant that nowhere in the UK has yet met this criteria.
But Sunday looks set to begin a period of intense hot weather that is very likely to become a heatwave, especially for parts of England and Wales.
Sunday is expected to bring sunny spells and isolated showers, with temperatures due to peak at 27-31C (81-88F) in parts of the Midlands, Wales and southern England.
Parts of northern England will reach 23 or 24C (73-75F) while much of Scotland and Northern Ireland will be at 20-22C (68-72F), away from the far north.
You can check the forecast temperatures for your area on the BBC Weather website and app.
High UV and pollen levels are anticipated in many places.
Extreme heat on Monday and Tuesday
The Met Office amber warning for extreme heat, external will come into force across much of southern and eastern England and parts of south Wales from 01:00 BST on Monday.
The warning has been expanded to cover east Wales and much of the Midlands, with the risk of widespread impacts on people and infrastructure.
It remains valid until 23:59 on Tuesday, with temperatures set to peak at 35 or 36C (95-97F) in southern England – and possibly south-east Wales.
By Wednesday even higher values of 37C (99F) are possible and there is a good chance that the UK’s June temperature record could be broken.
There will be tropical nights in some locations where overnight temperatures are expected to remain above 20C (68F).
This combination of hot days and very warm nights is likely to bring a range of impacts.
There is a risk to health, especially for elderly and vulnerable people.
The UK Health Security Agency has already issued separate amber and yellow heat health alerts across large swathes of England.
However, even in younger and healthier people there is a risk of conditions such as sunstroke and heat exhaustion.
People are being urged to take extra care when in and around open water, when at the coast or close to rivers and lakes.
Delays and disruption to travel networks and power supplies are possible.
Isolated downpours and thunderstorms could pose an additional hazard.
The heat is spreading from continental Europe where an extremely intense hot spell has developed.
Temperatures in parts of western France could climb to 43 or 44C (109-111F) over the next few days.
Paris is likely to reach 40C (104F) which would be unprecedented for June.
When will the heatwave end?
Some forecasts suggest temperatures could hover around 30C for six or seven consecutive days in places, perhaps continuing to reach the mid-30s at times, although there is some uncertainty.
This current hot spell follows a record breaking May where the UK recorded its warmest May day.
The Met Office says heatwaves are becoming more frequent and more intense globally due to human-induced climate change.
Scientists project that hot spells will become more common in our changing climate, particularly in the south-east of the UK, saying it is “virtually certain that human influence has increased the occurrence and severity of extreme heat events”.
The developing El Niño is not responsible for this current hot spell, with the peak effects expected later this year and into 2027.
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