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The glorious sunshine that's been basking Britain in recent weeks shows no sign of going anywhere, according to forecasters
The Met Office has forecast highs up to 33C this week and 35C next week - after a row of scorching days between 29C and 33C
And the heat is forecast to remain through the second half of July and August, computer models show
Britain reached a peak coming in hotter than 29C Barbados. The heatwave has left Brits feeling uncomfortably hot with many people saying they have struggled to sleep
So when will it end? When will rain? Why is it so hot? High pressure over the UK is causing high levels of sunshine and clear skies
Unlike our usual hot spells that are down to warm air pushing in from the continent, this heatwave is caused by the weather lifting the temperature day on day
How long will the UK heatwave last? Forecasters say the uncomfortable, sweaty nights show no sign of disappearing
Met Office forecaster Nicola Maxey said: “The high pressure which is causing the high temperatures looks like it's staying over the UK, certainly into next week and the week after
"It looks like the dry, warm weather will continue until the end of the month. "There could be the occasional shower and the temperatures might dip to the low 20s but there's no sign of an end to the heat
"And forecast models point to above-average temperatures for much of July and August
” What areas will it affect? Temperatures will be in the high 20s on Friday across the south and in certain parts of the midlands
Highs of 30C are expected throughout the weekend with 33C forecast next week. Northern Scotland may get cooler while the South and West of England will remain hot through to the weekend
When will it rain? The Met Office has issued a weather warning for thunderstorms - the first such advisory since the service was introduced
Ms Maxey said there are indications of unsettled conditions in the coming weeks but they will only be "blips" in the warm conditions
"There is the odd chance of a shower but it looks like the dry conditions will continue
" When was it last this hot? The Weather Outlook forecaster Brian Gaze said: “Parallels with the famous 1976 summer can be made
" Ex-BBC and Met Office forecaster John Hammond of weather trending said: “Hot and dry weather breeds hot and dry weather
This effect was seen in 1976. "This spell ending seems increasingly unlikely through the first half of July
” Metweather forecaster Jo Farrow Paul Michael White said: “The storms are no breakdown as the heatwave will keep on cooking
” Record temperatures Last month was one of the hottest for almost 400 years. June bordered on the top 10 hottest since records began 359 years ago in 1659, Met Office figures show
The average temperature during the month was 16.4C, 2.2C above normal, from June 1-29 in central England, the region enclosed by the Thames, Lancashire and Bristol
UK-wide, June’s 14.5C average temperature – up 1.5C - verged on the hottest since 1976, Met Office data shows
June’s UK rainfall was down by 52 per cent, worsening drought fears. The UK record temperature for the month is 36
7C registered at Heathrow on July 1, 2015. Bookmakers have slashed the odds of records being broken
What does it mean for hay fever sufferers? It's not great news. The pollen count is very high for the next week
Try some of our top tips for reducing hay fever, or try some hay fever treatments
How to protect yourself in the heat Stay protected by wearing sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat - or try and keep in the shade
Drink plenty of water to keep hydrated, and stay cool in covered areas between peak sunshine times - 11am and 3pm