A plume of Saharan dust mixed with smoke from Continental wildfires will turn Britain's skies red this week as a health alert was issued amid potentially record-breaking heat approaching 100F (38C).
Daytime temperatures are likely to hit 97F (36C) by Thursday – and could beat the record for July of 98.1F (36.7C) set in 2015 as boiling air originating from Africa will sweep over Spain and France and across Britain.
And the Met Office said overnight temperatures tonight could also break records in some central and southern areas, possibly reaching 75F (24C), after many Britons took struggled to get to sleep in the heat last night.
Meanwhile forecasters have also issued a thunderstorm warning for most of Britain apart from the South East from 6pm tonight until 9am tomorrow amid fears of scattered storms which could bring flooding and power cuts.
As the heat intensifies this week, Public Health England (PHE) is urging people to cover windows to keep rooms cool, and not to go out between 11am and 3pm if vulnerable to the heat.
Paddle board instructor Esther and Daisy the dog are watched by a seal on a scorching day today in Charmouth, Dorset
Kalimba Culverwell from Bournemouth makes the most of the warm start to the day at Boscombe beach today
Daisy gets a lift across Charmouth beach in Dorset with Esther in a handy pooch carrier today as she arrives for work today
Commuters cross London Bridge this morning as the UK endures a three-day heatwave with temperatures closing in on 100F
The warmest areas of southern Britain are expected to reach at least 95F (35C) - and it will be even hotter on the continent
A Met Office spokesman said there is a chance Thursday could see the hottest July temperature ever - heat flare shown in red
Other advice includes 'drinking plenty of fluids', avoiding excess alcohol and wearing 'loose, cool clothing'. PHE also called on the public to 'check up on' vulnerable friends, relatives and neighbours.
Ruth May, chief nursing officer for England, said: 'It's really important to take simple precautions like drinking plenty of water, using high-factor sunscreen and remembering to take allergy medication if you need it - as is making sure to check in on neighbours and loved ones who can suffer the most from heat and pollen.'
People with minor illnesses are urged to check the NHS website or call 111 for help. High levels of pollen and ultraviolet light - increasing the risk of sunburn - are expected particularly in the south and east between today and Thursday.
Pollution levels in southern areas are also expected to rise to moderate.
Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said skies across Britain could be about to turn an eerie shade of red as Saharan dust is swept in with the hot air along with smoke from fires currently ravaging swathes of Portugal.
People punt past the Botanic Gardens in Oxford today, as the UK is expected to edge towards its hottest ever July day
Early morning dog walkers on Charmouth beach in Dorset go out in the sunshine today ahead of a very hot day
People walk in the Botanic Gardens in Oxford this morning ahead of heatwave conditions sweeping across the UK
A foggy start in Poole, Dorset, on what looks to be the start off a mini-heatwave across the UK
Ditcheat in Somerset is shrouded in early morning mist today ahead of a day of very hot temperatures for Britain
Photographer Matt Pinner captured this stunning misty sunrise from Win Green on the Dorset and Wiltshire border today
He said: 'We are expecting to get some Saharan dust coming up and there are also some wildfires across Portugal from which we could see some smoke also coming into the UK.
Shortage of Britain's favourite plum after a year of unusual weather
Britain's favourite plum is set to be in rare supply this summer after a year of unusual weather damaged crops.
The small and sweet Victoria plum is the most common plum variety grown and eaten in Britain, but farmers are suffering a shortage due to strange weather patterns.
Experts say late frosts at the beginning of the year followed by a prolonged dry spell, then heavy rain and torrential hail, have stunted crops of Victoria plums.
Angela Tidmarsh, organiser of the UK Plum Festival held annually in Pershore, Worcestershire, said: 'We noticed how few plum trees were flowering when we ran our popular blossom trail coach tours earlier this year.'
Despite a shortage of Victorias, organisers of the festival are expecting a good crop of Czar plums, but fewer Yellow Egg plums and Pershore Purples.
Plums are one of the most weather-dependent fruits grown in Britain. Victoria plums had a bumper harvest last year thanks to good weather.
'There will be a continued risk of Saharan dust through to the end of the week, so there will be some pretty sunsets.'
Defra's pollution alert for Thursday says: 'Air sourced from the near continent may give moderate levels of air pollution across some areas of England and Wales, and on Friday across some eastern areas of Scotland and England.'
The situation is set to cause problems for Britain's 5.4 million asthma sufferers.
Dr Andy Whittamore, clinical lead at Asthma UK and a practising GP, said: 'A toxic cocktail of hot humid weather and rising pollen levels this week could be extremely hazardous, triggering deadly asthma attacks.
'Hot air and hay fever can cause people's airways to narrow, leaving them struggling to breathe, with symptoms like coughing, wheezing, a tight chest and breathlessness.
'Hot weather can also increase the amount of pollutants, pollen and mould in the air which can trigger asthma symptoms.
'If you are worried, make sure you take your hay fever medicines, keep taking your regular preventer as prescribed by your doctor and carry your blue reliever inhaler at all times.'
Breakdown companies urged motorists to check their cars to avoid unnecessary callouts, while Pets At Home warned people to check their animals and homes for fleas, as 'hot and humid conditions create the perfect breeding ground for the parasites to thrive'.
The pollen count is high for almost the whole of Britain (left), whle the UV index is also at potentially dangerous levels (right)
Warm weather became widespread yesterday and is due to reach most areas of England and Wales through today when temperatures could reach 93F (34C) in southern England and 86F (30C) further north.
Continued temperatures of up to 93F (34C) are forecast tomorrow, followed by heavy overnight thunderstorms in many areas before the heatwave reaches its peak and starts to break on Thursday night into Friday.
A cold front will then push eastwards bringing rainfall and thunderstorms. As fresher air moves in, Friday's highest temperatures will be much cooler than Thursday with 81F (27C) expected in London and 73F (23C) in Manchester.
Met Office chief meteorologist Paul Gundersen said: 'The UK will experience another pulse of high temperatures this week, with the possibility of records being broken for not only July but also all-time records.
'The weather setup is broadly similar to the pattern that brought high temperatures to much of continental Europe at the end of June.
'As well as high temperatures during the day, overnight temperatures will also be notably warm and could also break records. Conditions will feel much more comfortable for all by the time we get to Friday.'
Yesterday's top temperature in Britain was recorded in Cavendish, Suffolk, at 86.9F (30.5C). This was significantly up on the weekend high of 78.1F (25.6C) at Kew Gardens in West London.
The highest ever UK temperature is 38.5C (101.3F) recorded in Faversham, Kent, in August 2003.
The heat lead to a sleepless night for many across the UK, who took to social media from their beds to share their frustration
Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna said there is a '60 per cent chance' Thursday's weather might surpass the current July record and a '30 per cent chance' of going over the all time UK temperature record.
Thundery showers are expected to hit Bristol in the late hours this evening and the early hours of tomorrow morning. Glasgow will experience heavy showers in the early morning which will later change to a cloudy atmosphere.
Mr Petagna has warned 'anywhere across England could see some thundery showers'.
He added the coolest areas will be in western England, 'the temperatures will still be in the 20s so still fairly sunny but this part of England will be the coolest out of the rest'.
Heat could kill dogs in cars in minutes, charity warns
A dog welfare charity has advised owners to not leave pets alone in a hot car seat even for a few minuets as it can prove fatal.
The advice comes after predictions that temperatures will soar in the coming days, reaching a possible 98.6F (37C) in the south east of England.
Dogs Trust says on a 71F (22C) day, the temperature inside a car could rise by 11C in just 10 minutes and because dogs cannot cool down the same way as humans, the heat can quickly become dangerous for them.
American Bulldog Finlay's body temperature soared to a life-threatening 108F (42.2C) during recent hot weather in Glasgow
Earlier this week an American Bulldog Finlay was left fighting for his life after his body temperature soared to a life-threatening 108F (42.2C) during recent hot weather.
The one-year-old - who was born with three legs - became overheated when his owner took him to a park in Glasgow.
The charity has advised not walking dogs at the hottest times of the day. But it said early morning or later in the evening walks are best accompanied with water.
It has also said tarmac can get 'very hot in the sun' and advises owners 'to check it with their hand before letting dogs walk on it so they don't burn their paws'.
Other tips that have been given are avoiding long car journeys, using a sun blind for shade, avoiding congested roads as much as possible and taking regular breaks and having plenty of water on board.
Dogs Trust veterinary director, Paula Boyden, said: 'There are so many things we can do to make sure our dogs stay happy and healthy in hot weather, but it is crucial we keep a close eye on them, even if we are playing indoors. If we all do this, then hopefully we and our dogs will be able to enjoy a long hot summer.'
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News Photo UK weather: Health alert issued as heatwave set bring record temperatures
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