Temperatures have exceeded 34C today for the eight day this year, the Met Office has announced, setting a new record for the highest number of days in a calendar year to reach or exceed 34C. The record was previously set in 1976 and 2020 for seven days.

The milestone comes as the UK endures its third heatwave of the year. The Met Office says the hottest conditions are expected today and Friday, when some locations in England could reach 35C or 36C. Amber heat health alerts have been issued for the East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, South East, South West, Yorkshire and the Humber and the North West.

Temperatures are expected to ease slightly over the weekend, however, Saturday still could still see highs of 34C in southwest and 33C on Sunday.

Deputy Chief Forecaster Tom Crabtree said: “Many people will understandably want to know how long the current heatwave is likely to last. While temperatures are expected to ease across southeast England through the weekend and into next week, it won't be a straightforward end to the warm weather.

“High pressure is expected to remain in charge through much of next week, but it will gradually migrate northwards. This means that an easterly wind will become established in the south, and the focus for the hottest conditions will migrate towards the southwest.

“As a result, some places that have seen the highest temperatures during recent weeks will begin to cool. It will however, remain very warm – especially in the southwest – and heatwave thresholds may continue to be met in places.

“The overall signal is for continued fine, dry and very warm weather at times for many parts of the UK into next week. There is however a chance of thunderstorms spreading into parts of the south and southwest.”

However, this heatwave could become one of the longest-lasting since the notorious summer of 1976. During that historic spell, many parts of England recorded between 13 and 16 consecutive days with temperatures exceeding 30C.

Forecasts suggest that parts of southern England will continue to see temperatures above 27C to 28C throughout this week and into next, meeting the region's official heatwave threshold and raising the prospect of a prolonged period of hot weather.