Hot prospect of a summer heatwave

Published on Sunday 28 June 2009 21:59

BRITAIN has been warned of a heatwave that will see temperatures soar to as high as 32C by the end of the week.

The Met Office said the hottest weather today will be in London, where the mercury is expected to rise to 30C. Night temperatures are also predicted to be high in the south, falling no lower than 20C, and there will be thundery showers throughout the week.

Although Scotland is forecast to be cooler, the Met Office is predicting higher than average temperatures, with the number one "hot spot" expected to be Ullapool in Wester Ross, where temperatures could reach 26C, rising throughout the week.

Dumfries and Galloway, Ayrshire, Argyll and the north-west Highlands are also predicted to see some of the best of the summer so far, reaching nearly 26C.

The warmest places in the UK this week will be in south, with the east of England, south-west and Midlands seeing the highest temperature outside London. Meteorologists have issued the first health warning of the summer, saying the heat could put thousands of lives at risk, particularly among the elderly and people with respiratory problems. Heat health warnings are issued when both day and nighttime temperatures are expected to be high.

Murdo Urquhart, owner of Lochbroom Lodge in Ullapool, which accommodates up to 20 guests, said the hot weather was boosting the local tourist trade.

"Visitors in the village stay longer and spend more money when we have fine weather."

But guests at tomorrow's garden party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh should expect cooler weather. The Met Office in Aberdeen warned that the city and the east coast of Scotland would not see too much sunshine.

"There will be quite a contrast with temperatures in the east notably cooler and peaking at around 18 to 19C."

Bookmakers have now cut the odds on a scorching summer after predictions of a heatwave. Ladbrokes had been offering 8/1 that temperatures in the UK would top the British record of 38.5C/101.3F during 2009. The odds last night were 7/1.

&#149 A 17-year-old boy was in a critical condition in hospital last night after suffering a heart attack when he was struck by lightning. Five others were injured in the strike in Birmingham on Saturday.