The UK could see its hottest day of the year as high temperatures bring a possible official heatwave in the coming days, according to forecasters.
Much of the country enjoyed fine, dry conditions over the weekend, with many making the most of the elusive summer sunshine or heading to beaches and rivers to cool off.
London it could reach highs of 32C on Tuesday, while other parts of the country will see temperatures four or five degrees warmer than average for this time in July, the Met Office said.
The hottest day of the year so far was July 19, when a high of 31.9°C was recorded at St James’s Park in central London.
A wave of high pressure across the country and warm air rising from the south is creating dry, thin and sunny conditions and increasing temperatures.
Met Office analyst Simon Partridge said: “There is certainly potential that it could become a real official heatwave, because in the periods that you’ve had before it actually hasn’t met all the criteria.
“If there isn’t, it’s very close to that, and if you’re out and about and you’re a member of the public, then it’s going to feel like a heat wave anyway, because also during the night things are going to get a little more humid and muggy. also in everyday life.”
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The threshold for a heatwave is reached when a location records at least three consecutive days with maximum temperatures exceeding a designated value, according to the Met Office.
This is 25ºC for most of the UK, but rises to 28ºC in and around London, where temperatures are typically higher.
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Temperatures were expected to reach 27C in some local areas on Sunday, before highs of 29C were forecast on Monday and 32C on Tuesday, both in southeast England.
Many parts of the country will see temperatures four to five degrees warmer than average for this time in July, the forecaster said.
Is the UK weather getting warmer?
Only the far northwest areas of Scotland and parts of Northern Ireland will see some cloud and possibly rain on Monday and Tuesday.
But the summer period could end abruptly on Wednesday with heavy thundering rain expected, although uncertainty remains whether this will only happen in southern England or also in other parts of the UK.
Despite the sudden rains, temperatures are expected to remain high in the first week of August.
Partridge said: “Normally you get these storms and then everything gets a lot cooler and cooler, but although it will be a little cooler later in the week, it will still be about where we should be, if not a degree or so warmer.
“So a little summer is in the plans.”
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