ALERT: Met Office issues heatwave warning as Devon weather set to soar

Parts of the UK are expected to reach official heatwave conditions later this week as temperatures steadily rise, the Met Office has said.

Warm, dry weather will dominate across much of the country, with some areas seeing highs in the low 30s Celsius by the weekend.

While the upcoming heat isn’t expected to surpass the recent peak seen at the end of June and start of July, it could still feel uncomfortably hot for many.

READ MORE: Major Dartmoor festival kicks off this summer

In Devon, Tuesday is set to be largely fine and dry, with long spells of sunshine. Temperatures will begin to climb further from midweek, with Wednesday likely to mark the start of more widely felt heatwave conditions.

Deputy Chief Meteorologist Dan Holley said: “High pressure from the Atlantic will gradually exert its influence over the UK this week. We’ll see temperatures build day-on-day, with the potential for hot conditions to become quite widespread by the end of the week and into the weekend.

“There are signs that less hot, or fresher, conditions may arrive from the west into the start of next week, but exactly how quickly this transfers eastwards is uncertain. It’s certainly possible that hot conditions may persist for a while longer, especially towards the south and east.”

What qualifies as a heatwave?

A heatwave is officially declared in the UK when a location records daily maximum temperatures at or above the threshold for at least three consecutive days. The threshold varies by county, reflecting the UK's varied climate.

In Devon, this threshold is typically around 25°C to 27°C.

The Met Office will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as the week progresses.

Residents are advised to stay hydrated, limit strenuous outdoor activity during peak heat, and check on vulnerable neighbours or family members.