Wigan set for scorching weather as the UK is on track for hottest day of the year so far

Wigan is expected to see highs of 26C towards the end of the week

Temperatures could soar to more than 34C in some parts of the country on Wednesday, beating the 33C recorded at Porthmadog in North Wales on June 28.

Forecasters said there is a chance of hitting 34C or 35C, which could put Britons in line for the hottest day since the mercury hit 34.5C at Heathrow on June 21 last year.

The hottest July day on record is 36.7C (98F), which was reached at Heathrow on July 1 2015.

Nearly all parts of the UK are seeing above average temperatures, but it will be hot or very hot towards the east or south east.

Met Office forecaster Alex Burkill said: "It does look likely it will be at least 33C at some point this week, most likely on Wednesday or Thursday, in the south east and east, London, Essex, Kent, east Anglia and into Lincolnshire - and that would make it the hottest day we have had so far."

Although temperatures are likely to be lower elsewhere, they are still set to be scorching, with Wigan being expected to reach 26C on Thursday (July 26), with pure sunshine throughout the day.

This hot weather is then expected to trigger thunderstorms throughout various parts of the UK towards the end of this week.

Warm temperatures are expected to continue well into August, with Wigan set to see sunny, dry and warm days throughout the summer holidays

Mr Burkhill added: "The heat and humidity means there is a lot of energy in the air and a high risk of intense thunderstorms. Whether or not it will happen is where the uncertainty is."

However, light showers are currently forecast for Wigan with thunderstorms not currently being expected.

These light showers are expected to take place on Friday afternoon, accompanied by temperatures of around 24C.

During the current heatwave, UK temperatures have been approximately 10C higher than average for this time of year.

Wigan can usually expect highs of 16C and lows of 13C during July, therefore this Thursday’s peak of 26C is well above average.

Mr Burkill also explains how the current run of fine weather looks set to continue, stating: "It always seems that when the schools break up that is when we get the bad weather, but in this instance that is not the case."

Warm temperatures are expected to continue well into August, with Wigan set to see sunny, dry and warm days throughout the summer holidays.