Thousands across the UK will be feeling the heat as temperatures rise close to 30C in some areas. 

Ahead of the heatwave, the UK Health Security Agency and the Met Office issued a health alert in place from 9 am Friday, June 9 until 9 am Monday, June 12. 

With much of the nation is also expected to get thunderstorms from the hot weather with many receiving a yellow weather warning. 

Discussing the heatwave, a Met Office spokesperson said: "Staying hot and humid for many through this period, with plenty of sunny spells. The continued risk of some heavy and thundery showers developing. Warm and humid nights."

When will the heatwave end?

Although much of the UK is happy to see the start of summer with warmer temperatures, many would like to know what the long-range weather forecast looks like. 

With suggestions that the heat will continue for a long time yet, most forecasts are predicting the same outcome.

The Met Office's forecast for June 23 to the start of July suggests that dry, sunny and clear conditions will be continuing. 

The forecaster says: "Into late June and early July, the UK is generally most likely to see a continuation of the relatively dry pattern with widespread often sunny and clear conditions, albeit with an increased threat of thunderstorms in the south early in this period."

The BBC's long-range has a similar forecast with a mix of sunny and cloudy conditions as well as rain and thunder at some points. 

Although there is no set date for when the heatwave will end, conditions are expected to start to calm towards the end of June.