Britain is set to bask in a heat wave next week that could see temperatures rise as high as 34C – hotter than Ibiza.

The hot spell, caused by a swell of warm air pushing up from the continent, is predicted to see the mercury soar into the mid-30s across parts of the south by Tuesday and Wednesday.

But there is a danger of thunderstorms, heavy rain and localised flooding for some before the sunshine breaks through, forecasters say.

Across the south-east, north and west of England, rain is predicted today with more showers across Wales, Northern Ireland and central and eastern areas. And heavy rain is expected across western Scotland on Sunday – which may lead to some localised flooding and travel disruption, according to the Met Office.

The weather warning for Scotland will remain in place into next week, but for England and Wales the weather is expected to settle down with temperatures increasing from Sunday and potentially ushering in a heatwave for much of the UK.

Chief Meteorologist Andy Page said: ‘As we head into next week temperatures will increase daily across much of England and Wales as hot air is drawn up from France and Spain.

‘Temperatures could reach 34C by Wednesday in parts of central, southern or eastern areas and heatwave thresholds are likely to be reached in some places.’

If temperatures stay high in the same spots for three consecutive days, the Met Office deems it a heatwave.

Meteorologist Mark Wilson explained that much of Scotland and Northern Ireland will see showers pushing in from the west on Sunday while England and Wales can expect a fairly dry start to the day with temperatures rising from the mid-teens up into the 20s.

Moving into next week and that belt of hot air is expected to push temperatures up even higher.

‘So, by Tuesday and Wednesday temperatures could approach 33 or 34 across parts of the south,’ Mr Wilson said.

‘That’s very hot indeed, and even further towards the north across northern Scotland we could see highs into the mid-20s.’

Although many of us will have ‘plenty of sunshine to enjoy’, Mr Wilson also cautioned that there will also be an ‘increased risk of some showers into the middle part of next week’ in some places.

London is predicted to see temperatures peak at 32C on Wednesday, while on Tuesday the mercury could rise to 28C in Manchester, 30C in Bristol, and 29C in Birmingham and Brighton.

Meanwhile, Ibiza is set to peak at 32C in the middle of next week, with Malta enjoying the same high and the Maldives hitting 31C.

Those thinking of heading abroad may wish to think again as Athens, Lanzarote, the Algarve and the Canary Islands are only forecast to see highs of 25C or 26C as the week goes on.

In Scotland and the north west of the UK, rain could be heavy later into next week – with periods of strong wind bringing a risk of coastal gales.

But in the south and south east, drier and warmer weather – which could be hot and humid at times – is predicted with the danger of thunderstorms.

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