UK weather: Britain to bask in 30C heatwave this week - as pollen levels hit highest in decade

Britain will be as hot as Spain this week with temperatures set to rise above 30C (86F). After a weekend of wall-to-wall sunshine around the UK, temperatures particularly in London are on Monday set to hit around 29C.

The heatwave peak of at least 30C on Wednesday will match highs in popular holiday destinations in southern Spain.

But very high levels of pollen and UV mean that hay fever sufferers are in for a difficult time and everyone should try to be careful they avoid burning in the sun, officials warned. The Met Office said pollen levels are currently higher than they have been for more than a decade.

Met Office forecaster Mark Foster said it is possible "the hottest day for the year for all four countries could be bettered this week".

He added: "There is a fairly good chance we will see the hottest day so far. There is a chance it could possibly be tomorrow."

The highest temperature recorded in the UK so far this year is 29.1 Celsius at St James Park, central London, on April 19.

The top temperatures in Scotland and Northern Ireland this year were both recorded on May 29.

Achnagart in Ross and Cromarty, Scotland, boasted a temperature of 27.5C while the heat hit 25.3C in Castlederg in Co Tyrone.

People in Hawarden, Clwyd, enjoyed 26.8C, the top temperature in Wales this year, on May 27.

Temperatures are on Monday expected to reach around 29C around in London and between 24C to 27C across England and Wales while Scotland in the south and south east could see around 25C to 26C and Northern Ireland is looking at 25C.

Higher temperatures are expected over the next days and the south west of England, the south and parts of Wales could enjoy 30C.

Urging everyone to take precautions, Mr Foster said: "High pressure is going to dominate this week so we can expect very high levels of pollen and UV. If you are in the sun you have a greater chance of getting burnt in the short term."

The heat the UK is having is homegrown as high pressure, according to the Met Office.

Long days, very still conditions and clear skies help June temperatures to get very intense.

The sun in June is relatively the highest it gets in the sky and heat can build up over successive days.

Martin Bowles, operational meteorologist at the Met Office, said: "There's widespread sunshine for several days due.

"The temperature will be up a little bit each day."

Saturday saw highs of 24C (75F) and Sunday brought temperatures of up to 25C (77F) in the South East and London, but temperatures were well above average widely.

The average for this time of year is about 21C (70F) in London, 18C (64F) in Manchester and 17C (62F) in Scotland.

Mr Bowles said parts of the UK are likely to reach 30C on Wednesday.

"Monday 27C, Tuesday 28C, it's quite likely, I'd say more likely than not, that somewhere in the UK on Wednesday will get 30C, probably the South East of England," he said.

If Britain does hit 30C it will be as hot as Gibraltar and parts of southern Spain, such as Marbella, which are also forecast to be around 30C.

Weather map for Monday and week ahead

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