Temperatures are forecast to soar in parts of the UK this week with highs of 33°C expected today in some areas.

It could mark the hottest day of the year so far. The UK’s record currently stands at 32.7C which was recorded at Heathrow on 17 June.

The heatwave has prompted the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office to issue a level three heat health alert which has been in place from 9am today and will remain until 9am on Friday 15 July in the east and south-east of England.

The rest of the nation has a level two alert in place.

But how do you keep your home cool in the high heat?

As well as the record-breaking 33C predicted for today, the nights are expected to be uncomfortably hot. At 10pm tonight, London is forecast to sizzle at 26C with Cardiff hitting 23C and Birmingham 25C.

This warm weather is expected to continue through the week with high 20s for most until the weekend, when the mercury may rise again to 31°C in places such as London, Reading and Oxford.

This means parts of the country will be hotter than among others Jamaica, the Bahamas and the Maldives.

There is a four-level system that highlights the potential health impacts of these high temperatures.

This level three alert is in place because of the latest heatwave.

The advice is to take precautions during this hot weather including:

Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health Protection at UKHSA, said: “Most of us can enjoy the hot weather when it arrives, but it is important to keep yourself hydrated and to find shade where possible when UV rays are strongest, between 11am and 3pm.

“If you have vulnerable family, friends and neighbours, make sure they are aware of how they can keep themselves protected from the warm weather.”

All rights reserved. © 2021 Associated Newspapers Limited.