UK enters a third heatwave - with temperatures set to hit 35C

The UK has entered its third heatwave so far this year, with temperatures predicted to climb as high as 35C in some parts of the country later this week.

South-east England has now officially met the heatwave criteria, after three days of temperatures above 28C, the Met Office said.

Temperatures are forecast to rise across the UK this week with more regions likely to reach their local heatwave thresholds, the forecaster added.

In some parts of southern England, temperatures could reach highs of 32C on Tuesday, 33C on Wednesday and 34C on Thursday, with 35C forecast for isolated areas on Friday and Saturday, the Met Office said.

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On Monday, the highest temperature was recorded in Teddington, South-West London, at 34C.

Met Office deputy chief forecaster Steven Keates said this heatwave was not expected to be record-breaking.

"Parts of the UK are entering heatwave conditions: the third heatwave in the UK so far this year," he said.

"However, unlike the May and June heatwaves, we are not expecting this heatwave to be record-breaking.

"Temperatures this week are not expected to reach the highs we witnessed last month, though parts of southern England in particular are likely to see several days in the low 30s, and a few places could reach 34-35C later this week."

He added that Britons should "take the usual precautions with the heat and the sun".

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued amber heat health alerts for southern England and the Midlands, from 9am on Wednesday until 9pm on Sunday.

Yellow heat health alerts have also been issued by the agency for Yorkshire and northern England for the same time period.

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While Britain's south is expected to face increasingly hot conditions from Monday evening, a north-south divide will persist through the first half of the week, the Met Office said.

Scotland should see stronger winds and rain on Tuesday, with temperatures remaining generally closer to average for this time of year.

However, by the weekend, warm air is forecast to reach northern parts of the UK, bringing humidity, with a growing risk of showers or isolated thunderstorms.

The Met Office also warned England could experience "tropical nights" later this week, when temperatures will not fall below 20C.

Last week, the UK set a provisional June temperature record of 37.7C in Lingwood in Norfolk, according to the Met Office.

It beat the previous June record for the UK of 35.6C, which dates back to 1976.

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