UK heatwave: The hottest day of the year is coming this week as temperatures are set to hit 35 degrees.
The current record of 38.5C (101.3F) was set on August 10, 2003 in Brogdale, Kent, but bookies Paddy Power have slashed the odds of that being broken from 10/1 in mid-June to 21/10 as the heatwave intensifies.
The bookmaker has also put the odds of temperatures exceeding 100F (37.7C) at 5/6, from the 2/1 price in mid-June.
However, a Met Office spokesman told Yahoo News UK that the chances of the all-time record being beaten currently stood at 20%.
He added that there was a 30% chance that the all-time July record – currently standing at 36.7C – would be broken.
Sun worshippers basked in the hottest temperature of the year so far on Monday, with a scorching 33.3C (92F) recorded in England, and the warmth is set to stay for the rest of the working week.
Parts of Britain could see temperatures rise to 35C (95F) towards the end of the week as the heatwave continues.
Temperatures hovered around 21C (70F) in parts of East Anglia and London past midnight, around the average July day time temperature for the region of 19-23C (66-73F) before dropping to around 18C (64F).
Monday’s 33.3C high was recorded at Santon Downham in Suffolk, but it is set to get even hotter, with temperatures expected to peak on Thursday and Friday.
Becky Mitchell, Met Office meteorologist, said temperatures of 35C were forecast for Thursday in East Anglia and London, adding: ‘There’s potential it could go even warmer than that.’
She said the climbing temperatures are due to warm air coming up from France combined with high pressure across the country.
A respite from the heat could come by the end of the week, when thunderstorms are expected in eastern areas.
Good morning. Today it is looking hot for Southern England, but feeling fresher further North. Check out the latest forecast here: https://t.co/lvmvtqQWBN ^Eilidh pic.twitter.com/XIQB5qSYZr
— Met Office (@metoffice) July 24, 2018
