Brits to bask in highs of 34C today as UK set to be hotter than Greece & heat alerts issued ahead of thunderstorms

BRITS are soaking up the sun in 34C heat as parts of the UK are set to be hotter than Greece before thunderstorms arrive this evening. Swathes of the country have been issued with amber heat health alerts which will remain in place until Wednesday. Families and holidaymakers flock to the packed beach at the picturesque Lyme Regis Credit: Alamy Brits to bask in highs of 34C today as UK set to be hotter than Greece Credit: Met Office The southeast will be the hottest with the mercury hitting the mid-30s later today, hotter than the Greek islands of Mykonos, Rhodes and Santorini. Amber health alerts issued from 9am this morning for the East Midlands, East of England, South East and London regions. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Balmy weather is also instore for the midlands and southern England where temperatures will reach the upper-20s and low-30s. The UK Health Security Agency has issued a yellow alert for the North West, Yorkshire and The Humber, West Midlands and the South West. Hot and sunny weather at Sandbanks in Dorset as the heatwave continues Credit: Alamy Swathes of the country have declared a drought Credit: PA Thunder storms could hit the south of England as early as tonight Credit: Alamy Sunseekers leap into the sea from a groyne and cool off on Brighton beach Credit: Alamy The North East remains the only place in England with no warning. The Met Office forecasts that today will be the hottest of the week before the rain spreads across the country. Yesterday the Frittenden in Kent recorded the hottest temperature of 31C. Scotland, Northern Ireland and western England will see cloudier skies and outbreaks of rain later today. Most read in The Sun The showers are likely to turn heavy and thundery overnight and into tomorrow. A few isolated thunderstorms are even possible for the south tonight after weeks of bone-dry weather. Tuesday will bring more rain to Scotland with prolonged downpours increasing the risk of surface water flooding. Some light rain could reach the south but it is likely to be patchy. Temperatures will still get to the low-30s in the southeast while the rest of England will cool slightly to the upper-20s. Showers are forecast after the driest July in 190 years Credit: Getty Twins Nancy and Chester Oakley 7 yrs from Blackpool, Cool off on St Annes Beach Lancashire Credit: Dave Nelson By the end of the week the mercury will drop down to more settled temperatures. Scotland and Northern Ireland will see more heavy rain but it is still unlikely to reach the drought-hit south of England. It has been more than a month without a drop of rain for some areas of the UK after the driest July in 190 years. The last time it was as dry was 1836, only 21 years after Waterloo, when Queen Victoria hadn’t taken the throne and King William IV was still monarch. New Met Office figures show several counties recorded just 1mm of rain last month. Half of England is now officially in drought, with demand for water soaring and reservoir levels dangerously low. Comment now