UK Set To Be Hotter Than The Sahara As Brits Brace Soaring Temperatures

UK residents are being warned to expect temperatures hotter than the Sahara.

There's no longer any need to go and join the lengthy queues or run the risk of a cancellation at the airport if you're looking for some summer sun as the UK is set to face soaring temperatures.

If you needed any more of a reason to pop out the paddling pool, slide out the sun-lounger or bash out the barbie then the heatwave which is set to hit the country this week is all the excuse you need.

Temperatures have been rising since Wednesday, 15 June, and today, (Thursday, 16 June) Brits could see highs of 30C.

However, come tomorrow, the heat could reach as high as a whopping 34C, making it hotter than the Sahara desert in some areas.

Today and tomorrow in Western Sahara the temperature will reach around 28 degrees at most.

Tomasz Schafernaker, a weather forecaster for the BBC, has warned Brits will 'certainly' see the heat 'turned up' over the forthcoming days.

He continued: "For southern parts of the UK this is going to be a short lived heatwave and this is the peak, by Friday, London and the south east up to 33C perhaps even 34C.

"Look at the average we are significantly higher compared to what we would normally see, not unprecedented, the record is actually a little above 35C so we are not actually beating any records but it is not that far away if you think about it."

Referring to satellite imagery, Schafernaker explained that the increase in temperature will be caused from 'heat coming in from the south'.

However, he reassured that cooler air 'in the North Atlantic' will 'eventually win'.

"I think that by the time we get to Saturday, into Sunday, things will start cooling off and storms will come our way as well but not in the short term," he noted.

Those in the north west of the UK may also get off more lightly.

The weather forecaster explained that this morning there is already a 'bit more cloud' in north western areas which feel 'much fresher' due to the 'cooler Atlantic air already starting to spread in'.

He continued: "Some of those showers could turn a little heavy in the Western Isles, perhaps Northern Ireland during the day, there is another weather system to come but that is Thursday night."

On the other hand, areas such as London will see temperatures of 34C, with Yorkshire 'widely mid 20Cs,' however it could also hit 30C in those areas.

The UK Health Security Agency and Met Office have since issued a Level Three Heat-Health Alert for London, the East and South East of England.

Schafernaker added that Friday's forecast will be the 'peak of the heat' due to 33C or 34C 'hot air' being brought up from France by 'south, south westerly winds'.

However, after a 'hot and sunny Friday' he explained it will all go 'bang' by the weekend and 'whether you like it or not' Brits will be plunged back into typical UK weather.