Looking for a holiday hotspot for a last-minute getaway? You’d be better off sticking with Blighty.
Because as this summer’s fourth heatwave arrives on Monday, the UK is set to be warmer than Barbados.
On Sunday beaches around the country were packed with families enjoying the glorious British weather.
The highest temperatures this week are expected in the South East, Midlands, East Anglia and east Wales, with the mercury likely to be over 30C (86F).
The south Midlands could even reach as high as 34C (93F) on Tuesday afternoon.
There is also a chance the 35.8C (78.4F) registered in Faversham in Kent on July 1 – the UK’s hottest day in three years – may be beaten.
And the North could reach 28C (82F) in the likes of Manchester and York.
The Met Office requires three consecutive days above 25 to 28C (77F to 82F) for an official heatwave to be recorded.
As this summer’s fourth heatwave arrives on Monday, the UK is set to be warmer than Barbados
NEWQUAY: People cooling off in the sea as temperatures soared this weekend
LONDON: A cyclist ditches his shirt as he peddles along the Mall in searing heat on Sunday
A weather map has revealed the spots which will hit 30C heat on Monday as Britain braces itself for a fourth heatwave of the year
Scotland and Northern Ireland will be cooler but could still see highs of 23 to 25C (73 to 77F) – which is still 4C to 7C above average. But they are likely to see some rain, with a risk of thundery showers moving northwards from the south and west on Monday evening.
Yellow heat health alerts have been issued for most of England, except the North East and North West, from Monday noon until Wednesday to mark hot air arriving from the continent.
The UK Health Security Agency measure aims to put care providers on alert to protect those most vulnerable in the warmer weather.
It comes after a major incident was declared in Dorset, with 100 firefighters sent to tackle a huge blaze that ravaged hundreds of acres of land at the weekend.
And in Edinburgh on Sunday, firefighters tackled a large blaze on Arthur’s Seat. The fire spread rapidly across the grass-covered hill at around 4pm and police urged people to stay away from the area.
Dry conditions contributed to the serious wildfire on Saturday near Wimborne, Dorset. Twenty homes were evacuated after 170 acres of heathland were scorched at Holt Heath.
In Edinburgh on Sunday, firefighters tackled a large blaze on Arthur’s Seat. The fire spread rapidly across the grass-covered hill at around 4pm and police urged people to stay away from the area
The blaze came within yards of several properties, including a £1mllion detached home.
The fire was eventually brought under control. Firefighters doused the thatched roof of businessman Guy Reynolds’ home with foam and managed to save it, but his garage and other outbuildings were destroyed.
Mr Reynolds, 44, who was on holiday in France, thanked those who helped his in-laws staying at the property to safety.
He said: ‘It was lucky that the house was protected extremely well by the fire service. My parents-in-law were given six minutes to leave. We have ponies and sheep and people helped evacuate them.’
