Isle of Wight set to sizzle this week in year's 3rd heatwave

Forecasters say the Island will enjoy largely uninterrupted sunshine over the coming days, with temperatures inland expected to exceed 30C and potentially reaching 34-35C by the end of the week.

According to the national Met Office, temperatures across southern parts of the UK are forecast to reach around 33C tomorrow (Wednesday), climbing to 34C on Thursday, with isolated locations potentially seeing 35C on Friday and Saturday.

While not expected to match the exceptional highs recorded during June's heatwave, the latest spell of hot weather is likely to bring several consecutive days of uncomfortable heat across the Island.

Satellite image of the south of England at 9am this morning (Tuesday) (Image: IW Met Service)

Conditions should be less humid than June's heatwave, while overnight temperatures are also expected to be lower, although some urban areas could remain very warm overnight, the Met Office adds.

A Level 3 heat alert is in place on the Isle of Wight, which is due to rise to Level 4 tomorrow as temperatures continue to soar.

High pressure centred close to the UK is expected to bring sunshine and generally light winds throughout much of the week, allowing daytime temperatures to steadily build.

Jamie Russell, of the Isle of Wight Met Service, said satellite imagery today (Tuesday) showed the Island sitting in a "clear slot" beneath largely cloud-free skies.

Today has seen temperatures reach 21-23C across southern and western parts of the Island, rising to 24-26C elsewhere and set to peak at 27-29C across northern and eastern areas.

Winds have been westerly at 9-17mph, becoming west-south westerly at 12-22mph later in the day.

Tomorrow's forecast (Wednesday) is expected to be even hotter, with wall-to-wall sunshine across the Isle of Wight, said Russell.

Temperatures will range from 22-24C around windward coastal areas where cooling sea breezes develop, but inland areas are forecast to reach 27-29C widely.

The hottest parts of the Island, particularly northern and eastern districts, could see temperatures hit 31C.

Winds will remain light and variable inland at 3-8mph, with localised coastal breezes developing through the day.

Looking ahead, the BBC South forecast suggests high pressure will extend further north through the second half of the week, maintaining largely dry and settled weather across the UK.

Temperatures are expected to peak on Thursday and Friday, with parts of south-east England reaching the low-to-mid 30s Celsius.

The Isle of Wight is likely to remain a little cooler along exposed coasts thanks to sea breezes, although inland locations could continue to experience very hot conditions.

By the weekend, there is greater uncertainty.

High pressure may weaken slightly, allowing more changeable conditions to develop and temperatures to ease back a little.

While isolated showers or thunderstorms cannot be ruled out, forecasters say they are likely to be very hit-and-miss, with many places staying dry.

Despite the possibility of a slight dip in temperatures, high pressure is expected to remain close enough to keep the weather largely settled into Sunday.

With UV levels remaining high and several days of hot weather forecast, residents are being urged to stay hydrated, avoid prolonged exposure to the midday sun and take sensible precautions during the hottest part of the day.