Heatwave peak set to bring 34C to parts of UK

Parts of the UK could see one of the hottest June days ever as a heatwave, now in its fourth day, peaks on Monday.

Temperatures of 34C are possible in central and eastern parts of England according to the Met Office. UK temperatures in June have only exceeded this level three times since 1960.

Glastonbury Festival advised people to leave the site before early Monday morning to avoid the building heat while Wimbledon could see its hottest opening day ever.

An amber alert, in place since Friday, persists for five regions meaning weather impacts are likely to be felt across the whole health service. There is also a “severe” risk of wildfires according to the London Fire Brigade.

The East Midlands, South East, South West, London and the East of England all fall under the amber heat-health alert and are likely to be subject to travel delays.

Meanwhile, Yorkshire and Humber and the West Midlands are under a less serious yellow alert.

The high temperatures mean all of these areas are likely to experience a rise in deaths particularly among the vulnerable, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

However it won’t be hot everywhere. “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,” Met Office Chief Meteorologist Matthew Lenhert said.

Night-time lows are only predicted to fall to 20C in some areas heading into Tuesday.

This is the second heatwave of the year. London Fire Brigade assistant Thomas Goodall explained that this is why the risk of wildfires is “severe” as well as due to low rainfall in recent months.

Guidance from the UKHSA recommends keeping out of the sun in the hottest part of the day between 11:00 and 15:00, wearing hats, sunglasses and suncream.