UK to be 'hotter than Barbados' but maps show when rain will dampen 35C heatwave

The Met Office has predicted some parts of the country will soon experience scorching heatwave highs of 35C - but it won't last long as weather maps show a storm will move in.

Forecasters said today may reach 31C in parts of southern England, but Monday will be even hotter, with highs of 34C expected in central and eastern England. However, on Tuesday temperatures could be even higher, hitting 35C in parts of south-east England, according to Met Office chief meteorologist Matthew Lenhert.

These weather conditions would make the UK hotter than Barbados. It could also bring the hottest June day on record. The country’s current record high for June rests at 35.6C, set in Southampton’s Mayflower Park in 1957 and met again at Camden Square in North London in 1976.

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And because of high daytime temperatures, nights are also set to be warm, with some locations seeing lows of 20C or higher, making it uncomfortable to sleep.

A night when temperatures don't drop below 20C is known as a tropical night. However, fresher air will move in through the middle of the week, the Met Office said, as weather maps show rain across several parts of Britain.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued an amber heat health alert which is in place until 6pm on Tuesday across London, the East Midlands, South East, South West and East of England. But elsewhere a yellow heat alert, less serious than amber, has also been issued for Yorkshire and Humber as well as the West Midlands.

And it won't be hot everywhere over the next few days, as Northern Ireland and Scotland are set to experience some rain. Mr Lenhert said: "Sunday will be another hot day quite widely across the southern half of the UK, with temperatures forecast to reach 31C in the south east of England.

"Temperatures will be higher still on Monday, with highs of 34C possible in central and eastern parts of England. This coincides with the end of Glastonbury with lots of people traveling home, and the start of Wimbledon so people should be prepared for some hot and humid conditions. Stay hydrated and try to keep out of the sun during the hottest part of the day."

The expert continued: "Overnight temperatures will remain high, with some locations not dropping below 20C in what is called a tropical night. These sorts of temperatures make it hard to sleep and prevent any recovery from the high daytime temperatures too.

"Tuesday will be another hot day, though the highest temperatures will be more confined to the south east of England where 35C is possible. Fresher air will move in from the west through the middle of the week, bringing an end to this heatwave."

Mr Lenhert concluded: "It won't be hot everywhere, with a marked difference in northwestern parts of the UK. Cloud and some heavy rain will affect Northern Ireland and western parts of Scotland through Monday and temperatures will be suppressed to the mid to high teens."

Unsettled conditions are expected starting from next weekend, as some areas will experience rain or showers, with a risk of thunderstorms too. After that, changeable conditions are expected, the Met Office said.

The Met Office's long-range forecast from July 4 to July 13 says: "Residual rain clearing the southeast, if it hasn't done before this time, with widely fine and much fresher and cooler conditions than of late.

"Perhaps turning wetter and windier in the northwest though, with more unsettled conditions spreading across the UK through the coming weekend. Not everywhere will see rain or showers, and there will be some brighter, more shower weather too, particularly on Sunday where there is a risk of thunderstorms.

"Following this, more changeable weather is expected with winds mainly from the west, leading to a typical northwest-southeast split whereby rain and showers are most frequent in the north and west, whilst south and eastern areas are more often dry, bright and warmer."