The current heatwave is expected to reach an “absolute peak” today, according to forecasters.
BBC Weather’s Tomasz Schafernaker told Radio 4’s Today programme people will be “melting” as temperatures soar.
“For some of it’s no laughing matter because it just gets so hot. Our heatwaves usually come with a relatively brief peak - absolute peak. It’s going to happen today and tomorrow.
“It’s southern and central areas of the UK that will hit the mid-30s. The absolute highest we could get today is about 36C in the London area.”
It comes as a number of London train services are impacted by the hot weather, with c2c, Greater Western Railway and London Northwestern Railway among the operators disrupted.
Fire chiefs have flagged the increasing risk of wildfires because of the dry and hot weather, advising people to avoid using disposable barbecues in open countryside and park.
