WILL Dorset see highs of 40C next week?

A Bournemouth-based forecaster has shed light on the situation amid "outrageous" forecasts suggesting the UK could hit 40C.

Bournemouth & Poole Weather said: “There has at times been some outrageous forecasts generated by the computer models in the past three or four days.

“Many of us looking into the detail have never seen 40C showing up over the UK, however this has happened on several occasions now, in fact the most extreme output showed 44C over eastern England during the weekend of the July 16 and 17.

“However, these are at the most extreme end of what is likely and the majority of forecast data coming from the computer models is substantially cooler (although still warm).”

However, the weather enthusiast said by the middle of next week, there is potential for temperatures of between 32C and 34C to be reached.

He said: “In the short-term things will start warming up from tomorrow, initially mid 20's Celsius, rising to high 20's by Sunday & Monday.

"Tuesday & Wednesday look hot, 30C likely even around the south coasts, 32-34C possible inland.

“Then comes the uncertainly, things may cool off a touch during Thursday (still mid-high 20's here) there's then three options.

“1. Cooler Atlantic air pushes in (low probability), 2. continuation of warm to hot carries one for several more days (most likely) 3. A plume of extremely hot weather mid 30's + inland pushes in through Friday & Saturday (low - medium probably).

“Probably three to four days to really pin down which one of those potential outcomes is most likely in the meantime summer firmly in charge.”