Weather: Hot Spell Set To Last Rest Of Week

The hot weather is set to continue until at least the weekend with Wednesday expected to be another contender for the hottest day of the year.

Sky News Weather Producer Joanna Robinson said: "The summery spell is set to continue for many this week, with temperatures rising further over the next couple of days.

"Wednesday looks to be the hottest day of the week, with temperatures widely in the high twenties across England and Wales.

"In fact, 32 or 33C (91.4F) is possible across southeast England, which would be the highest temperature of the year so far."

Scotland and Ireland are forecast to see a more gradual rise in temperature, reaching the mid to high twenties by the end of the week.

Northwest Scotland will be the main exception to the hot weather, where it will be relatively cloudy and cool with rain at times.

Last week's blazing temperatures peaked on Saturday with the mercury hitting 31.9C (89.4F) in Southampton - making it the hottest day of the year and the hottest day in July since 2006.

Sunday was another scorcher with temperatures into the high 20s in many regions and the Met Office issued a level three heatwave alert for southwest England.

But the soaring temperatures are still some way off the highest ever recorded in the UK, which stands at 38.5C (101.3F) - at Faversham in Kent on August 10, 2003.

The latest heatwave has seen shoppers spend thousands of pounds on the high street and online, buying barbecues, food, sunscreen and garden furniture.

Paddling pool sales are up 816%, said online retailer Amazon, while Tesco predicted a sausage surge of nine million bangers over the weekend.

But the searing heat has prompted warnings from health authorities urging the public to take care in the potentially "dangerous" conditions.

And with people taking to the water to cool off, emergency services have warned against swimming in lakes and quarries after three people died in the West Midlands in the last week.

"Please think twice about going into open water," said Commander George Marshall, of Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service.

"If you must take a dip please do it in the safety of a public swimming pool where there are lifeguards on duty."