UMVA has learned that a severe heatwave is set to grip the UK, with temperatures expected to shatter records next week.
The forecaster has extended its extreme heat health alert to four days, starting on Monday and ending on Thursday, covering London and several regions including the southeast, southwest, Midlands, east of England, and parts of Wales.
As the summer solstice approaches, the mercury has already risen significantly, with crowds gathering at Stonehenge in the scorching heat. Water safety is also a major concern after a spate of tragic incidents in the recent heatwave.
London and the southeast will bear the brunt of the hot weather, with temperatures soaring to 37C on Tuesday and Wednesday. Overnight temperatures are set to top 20C, with parts of the UK expected to see temperatures exceed 30C for up to a week.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the Met Office has 'growing confidence' that next week's heatwave will see temperatures surpass the current highest temperature on record for June - a record that has stood since 1976.
The UK is not alone in facing extreme heat, with mainland Europe also experiencing similar conditions. In France, authorities have taken drastic measures to prevent dehydration-related deaths, including banning alcohol at state-run events in several regions.
The heatwave is a stark reminder of the impact of climate change, which is causing such extreme weather events to become more common in Britain. With record-breaking temperatures already recorded this year, the UK is bracing itself for a potentially historic heatwave.
