Parts of the UK could see an official heatwave in the coming days, with temperatures hitting almost 30C (86F), forecasters have said.

The Met Office said people in some areas will bask in sweltering heat and sunshine from Monday to Wednesday.

A location meets the UK heatwave threshold when it records a period of at least three consecutive days with daily maximum temperature levels which vary across the country.

These include 25C (77F) for central England and Wales – where it has been forecast the threshold could be exceeded – and 28C (82.4F) for London and the South East.

In Essex it is expected to reach 27C to 28C is some places. 

The Essex Weather Centre said people can expect some warm days and 'uncomfortable nights'. 

In a Tweet they said@ "Temperatures finally rising above average!

"Very warm, locally hot conditions expected for much of Essex over the next few days with 27-28C in places.

"Warm, uncomfortable nights also likely."

A second Tweet gave an idea of how long the hot weather would last. 

It said: "Week ahead: Dry and very warm, locally hot conditions initially before temperatures return to near average with the risk of showers."

 

The mercury is expected to exceed the average for September, which is 18C (64.4F) in the UK.

Annie Shuttleworth, a Met Office forecaster said: “We are expecting temperatures to rise at the beginning of the new week.

“Despite a cloudy start to Monday, conditions will be clear and bright with hot temperatures for large parts of England and eastern Wales as the result of continental air moving in from the south.

“This air will start to push through the country on Tuesday and Wednesday, dragging temperatures as high as 29C (84.2F) for parts of the south-east while Scotland and Northern Ireland will also move into the mid-twenties.

“It’s going to be very warm for the time of year and could even be rather uncomfortable for people trying to sleep at night, with temperatures remaining at around 18C (64.4F) during the evening.”

Ms Shuttleworth said this meant a “decent chance” of an official heatwave for parts of central England and eastern Wales, where the temperature threshold needed over three days is 25C (77F).

However, she warned of an area of low pressure moving in from the west on Wednesday afternoon, bringing with it grey and wet conditions for much of the UK on Thursday.

Thunderstorms are also expected in the second half of the week to conclude the hot spell.