UK weather: Drought likely to be extended this week as heatwave builds

Sunday will be a warmer day across many areas with temperatures widely getting up to the mid to high twenties Celsius. South-east England will be even hotter where temperatures will rise to over 30C and possibly as high as 33C.

This will break the record for the highest number of days on which the temperature has exceeded 30C somewhere in the UK. The previous record was 34 days in 1995.

After a cooler day on Monday, temperatures will then rise widely across the UK from Tuesday.

In Scotland and Northern Ireland, temperatures will typically reach the low to mid twenties.

In England and Wales, temperatures will rise into the mid to high twenties Celsius and widely across east Wales, central, eastern and southern England in excess of 30C.

The heat is set to peak on Thursday, with readings of 35C possible in south-east England.

If this happens, it will be the fourth consecutive month of 35C or more being recorded.

The threshold for declaring an official heatwave is likely to be reached widely across England and Wales, making it the fifth heatwave of the year for many.

Yellow heat health alerts are in effect for most of England until 21:00 BST on Tuesday, warning of impacts for health and social care services and an increased risk to life for vulnerable people.

These are likely to be updated in the coming days as heatwave conditions develop.