Amber heat alerts have been issued across swathes of Britain, with a number of areas set to be warmer than islands in Greece.
Scorching temperatures could climb to highs of 35C across parts of the south east later today, the Met Office forecast.
The forecaster revealed the sweltering climate in England will be hotter than popular holiday hotspots across the continent, including Mykonos, Rhodes and Santorini.
Meanwhile, the majority of areas across central and southern England could see highs in the upper 20s – even the low 30s – before temperatures cool.
As a result, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued amber heat-health alerts across the East Midlands, east of England, south east and London from today until Wednesday morning.
The alert warned that the higher temperatures could drive up pressure on the NHS, with more vulnerable people, including those with conditions as well as the elderly, more at risk.
Yellow heat-health alerts have been put in place across the North West, Yorkshire and The Humber, West Midlands and south west until Wednesday as well.
“We’re going with a headline tomorrow of 34C, but with a potential for local 35C in the South East, the Midlands into the low 30s as well,” Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna said.
“So central and southern England, widely high 20s to low 30s, and approaching or if not touching, the mid 30s in the South East.
“Tomorrow is the peak of the heat; temperatures do come down a little bit, we’re still talking 28 to 30C on Tuesday.
“Again, the South East and East Anglia we’re seeing the highest temperatures on Tuesday, so not as extreme as tomorrow, but still well above average.”
He added: “And then even by Wednesday, we’re looking at high 20s, 26 or 27C, in the South East.
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“But it’s a gradual cooling down process through the week, and always cooler towards the North and West in any case, high teens, low 20s, but certainly central and south east England seeing hot weather returning briefly, and a lot of sunshine to come in the south east as well.”
Meanwhile, Polly Ashmore, from the UKHSA, warned that hot weather was particularly threatening for older adults, adding that “sensible precautions” must be taken.
She added: “We are urging health and social care services in affected regions to ensure they are prepared, and reminding people to look out for elderly relatives, neighbours and those with underlying health conditions, making sure they are aware of the forecast and following the necessary advice.
“Simple steps such as staying hydrated, avoiding the sun during the hottest part of the day, and keeping your home cool are some of the key ways to help keep yourself and others safe during periods of hot weather.”
Last week, it was revealed that England is on track to see the highest number of fatalities caused by heatwaves since records began.
The UKHSA said it “is likely that 2026 could see the highest number of heat-associated deaths on record”, driving past figures dating back to 2022.
The total number of deaths so far this year comes to 2,877 – almost double the number of deaths from heatwaves last summer.
“While these (2026) figures remain interim, they are already approaching the annual record reported by UKHSA in 2022,” the report said.
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