Met Office warns of 34C scorcher and 'intense thunderstorms' in UK heatwave

Parts of the UK could see "intense thunderstorms" as temperatures soar to up to 34C this weekend

Brits have been told to expect "uncomfortable heat", "intense thunderstorms" and the first "tropical night" of the year as heatwave conditions hit the UK.

The Met Office has said temperatures are likely to reach 31C in England today (June 19), with highs of 28C expected in Wales, 25C in Northern Ireland and 25C in Scotland.

As temperatures climb into the weekend, the weather agency says temperatures could peak at 34C in eastern England on Saturday (June 21).

Ahead of the extreme heat, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued rare amber heat-health alerts across the whole of England.

The alert comes into force at 12pm today (June 19) and remains in place until 9am on Monday (June 23). The UKHSA warns that the whole health service is "likely" to be impacted by high temperatures, with a "rise in deaths" expected.

While Saturday is likely to bring hot and dry weather for many, the Met Office warns that northern and western parts of the UK may see some showers and thunderstorms, with "intense thunderstorms" potentially hitting parts of Wales, England and southern Scotland.

Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Dan Holley, said: "The highest temperatures from this hot spell are forecast for Saturday, with low 30s Celsius fairly widely across England, and up to 34C possible in eastern areas.

"Despite this, the more uncomfortable heat will be in northern and western areas initially, where despite somewhat lower temperatures the air will be more humid.

"While Saturday will be a dry and fine day for many, a few showers or thunderstorms will be possible across northern and western parts of the UK, with an increasing risk of some intense thunderstorms developing across portions of north Wales, northern England and southern Scotland later in the afternoon and into the evening hours, which could bring heavy downpours, frequent lightning, gusty winds and possibly large hail."

The Met Office previously warned Brits to expect a "tropical night" this weekend, when temperatures don't fall below 20C. Once "extremely rare" in the UK, tropical nights have become more common in recent years due to rising temperatures in the current climate.

The UKHSA warns that heatwaves – which often bring tropical nights to the UK – are associated with a higher risk of death because of the function of sleep to regulate core body temperature.

Holley added: "The nights will also be quite warm, with the possibility of temperatures not falling below 20C in some areas, making it hard to sleep. This is what we term a 'tropical night'.

"Temperatures will ease from the west on Sunday as fresher air arrives from the Atlantic, although parts of East Anglia and the far southeast of England could still see 28-29°C for a time."