The Met Office has issued the second highest heatwave alert for all of Britain as the country endures extreme heat — hotter than Istanbul, Marseille and Los Angeles.
The level three amber heatwave warning is one step behind a national emergency, and has been issued from 9am Monday to 9am Thursday, as forecasters anticipate highs of 33C (91.4).
On Monday the temperature reached 32C (91F) at RAF Northolt, west London, and 32.5C at Hampton Water Works, making it the hottest day of the year so far.
Angelenos, by comparison, will have to deal with a high of just 31C on Wednesday and the mercury in Marseille, in the south of France, was predicted to hit just 30C on Tuesday.
The amber warning is issued when “there is a 90 per cent probability of heatwave conditions” according to the Met Office website.
It means social and healthcare workers should ensure high-risk groups including the elderly, children and those with medical conditions are kept cool and hydrated.
The NHS has issued advice and guidelines to help people deal with the blazing sunshine — click or tap here for more.
NHS advice includes urging people to “spend time in the shade when the sun is strongest, between 11am and 3pm”.
It also said: “Keep rooms cool by using shades, have cool baths or showers and stay hydrated.”
This week's scorching weather is still some way short of the UK's record June temperature of 35.6C, reached in 1957 and 1976.
However, there has been one incident of a road surface melting near Guildford, where spilt oil had “melted into the tarmac due to the heat”, according to Surrey police.
The Met Office also warned of a “very high” pollen count across the country.
Additional reporting by agencies
