Hot weather forecast as 34C Iberian heatwave to hit in days - new maps show hottest areas

New maps show a blistering few days of hot weather on the way for Britain which could see temperatures top 34C in parts of the nation. Forecasts from WXCharts and Netweather.tv show a large plume of hot, dry air sitting over Portugal and Spain moving northwards towards the UK from Monday, July 14.

Britons have already enjoyed some high temperatures in June and July, with many getting the BBQ out for the first time. However, the soaring heat has also sparked dangerous conditions on the continent, with a series of deaths linked to the stifling conditions. In Britain, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued an amber warning for hot conditions at the end of June for potentially deadly conditions affecting the most vulnerable.

On July 1, the Met Office recorded the hottest temperature of the year so far, with 34.7C logged at St James's Park in London. Now, new maps show the temperature scale could hover close to the record next week, as maps from Netweather.tv show readings of 34C plus possible around London and much of the south-east of England.

From around 6pm on Monday, July 14, the forecasts show blistering conditions reaching as high as Yorkshire and Manchester, with hot weather in the 30s expected across the Midlands and Wales. Western coastal regions and Scotland and Northern Ireland will be cooler with the mercury likely to stay in the late teens.

The Met Office said it expects temperatures to heat up this week running up to the arrival of the new heatwave. Marco Petagna, senior meteorologist at the Met Office, said: "I think Wednesday is probably going to be the day when we could start to reach the thresholds of 25 to 28 degrees, depending on where you are.

"But of course, you need three days at those temperatures for it to be able to be called a technical heatwave.

"So, although the temperature will be reaching the criteria, we probably won't actually reach an official heatwave until around Friday, to give the three consecutive days at those temperatures.

"But temperatures are going to continue to climb as we go toward the end of the week and certainly by Friday and Saturday we could see 30 degrees, perhaps just nudging into the low 30s.

"At the weekend, we could just start to see humidity increasing a little bit as well and nighttime temperatures look like they are going to be, so it will be starting to become more uncomfortable by night."

Today:

Early rain soon clearing from southeast England. Otherwise, most will have a bright day ahead, with sunny spells and a scattering of showers. Showers heaviest across eastern England. Rather breezy and fresh in the north, pleasant in the south.

Tonight:

Any remaining heavy showers slowly easing. Then mainly dry overnight, with clear spells, though clouding over across then northwest later. Turning chilly for parts of northern England and Scotland.

Tuesday:

Generally a fine and dry day ahead for many, with plenty of sunny spells. Cloudier skies towards northwest Scotland and Northern Ireland, with a little light rain possible. Warmer.

Outlook for Wednesday to Friday:

Mainly dry as high pressure builds through this period. Plenty of sunny spells, though the far northwest will be cloudy initially. Turning very warm, locally hot once again.