Heatwave to peak today as temperature soars to 34C

Sweltering conditions will peak today with temperatures due to hit 34C, as hot weather persists across England.

- JABED AHMED

Yesterday’s temperatures reached 31C in parts of southeast England but today will be even hotter, with highs of 34C in central and eastern England, the Met Office said.

The South East could then hit 35C tomorrow, forecaster Matthew Lehnert said, which would be hotter than Barbados.

Wimbledon is also set for its hottest opening day on record today and could even see the highest temperature ever recorded during the tournament. The warmest opening day on record was on 25 June 2001, when temperatures hit 29.3C.

Tropical nights are also in store for many, with temperatures overnight not dropping below 20C, Mr Lehnert said. Fresher air is then expected to move in from the west in the middle of the week, bringing an end to the heatwave.