The Met Office has issued a rare red weather warning for extreme heat in central and southern England and Wales.
The alert comes into force on Wednesday and Thursday.
Temperatures across Britain are expected to rise to near-record breaking heights.
The sweltering heat could last until at least Thursday, according to the Met Office.
Forecasters have said there is “growing confidence” that this week could break the record for the hottest June temperature of 35.6C, set in 1976 in Southampton.
The extreme heat could also disrupt rail, road and air travel, with the possibility of some tarmac melting, according to the Met Office.
For Monday, central southern England could see highs of up to 34C with the temperature set to climb to 37C on Tuesday in southern England and south-east Wales, Met Office meteorologist Simon Partridge said.
He added: “Then Wednesday and Thursday, both 38C but there’s potential for it to go higher and then by Friday, coming down a little bit, so we’ll see 33C and then it should ease off into the weekend but still stay quite warm, even into next week, although it won’t be anywhere near as warm as this week.”
Alongside the two-day red alert, the Met Office has issued a four-day amber heat warning from Monday to Thursday in parts of England and Wales.
Wednesday and Thursday’s amber alert expands to include parts of Greater Manchester, Yorkshire and Cheshire.
People in the alert area are advised to drink plenty of fluids and keep out of the sun, and avoid exercising between 11am and 3pm, the weather service said.
Mr Partridge said: “It’s a very unusual, very rare spell of very hot weather, so it’s one of those ones where people should take care, try to keep their houses as cool as possible, check in on those that are vulnerable, so the very young and very old, in particular, are more vulnerable to extreme heat.”
He added: “But everybody will feel this because it will be very hot and the overnight temperatures, in particular, will mean that people won’t be getting as much sleep, probably, as they would usually do, so it will affect everyone.
“There’s also potential for impacts to transport as well.
“We know that when things get very warm, there can sometimes be issues with railway lines, and even possibility that some roads might not be doing too well.
“If it gets too warm, you may even see a little bit of tarmac melting at times.”
The heat comes after at least 15 people died after getting into trouble in open water during a hot spell in May.
Mr Partridge said: “We’re also asking everybody to be very wary around bodies of water, because in the last heatwave, unfortunately, quite a few people lost their lives by going into cold water and getting cold water shock.
“That’s still very much an issue, so just be careful how you cool yourself down.
“If there’s the option between a hose pipe and jumping in the lake, probably go for the hose pipe and just keep yourself safer.”
Meanwhile, Europe is also sweltering under the heatwave, with temperatures forecast to hit 37C in Rome and 39C in Madrid on Monday.
Our Standards:
The GB News Editorial Charter
