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Thousands gathered to celebrate the summer solstice at Stonehenge on Sunday as the United Kingdom braces to bake in a heatwave that could see record-breaking temperatures.<\/p>\n
The Met Office said the heat is expected to peak at about 35 degrees Celsius on Tuesday and Wednesday, sparking weather warnings, health alerts and concerns for vulnerable people.<\/p>\n
Forecasters have said there is \u201cgrowing confidence\u201d this week could break the record for the hottest June temperature of 35.6C, which was set in 1976 in Southampton.<\/p>\n
On Sunday morning, a crowd of more than 20,000 people flocked to Stonehenge and Avebury in Wiltshire to see the sun rise at 4:25 am (0325 GMT) on the longest day of the year, according to English Heritage.<\/p>\n
Visitors, some wearing flower head-dresses, touched the ancient monument and cheered as the glowing sun peeked over the misty horizon.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Europe is also sweltering under the heatwave, with temperatures forecast to hit 37C in Rome and 39C in Madrid on Monday.<\/p>\n
In France, highs of 40C are expected on Sunday, with Monday likely to be even hotter as emergency services and military forces have been put on wildfire alert.<\/p>\n
Public alcohol consumption restrictions have also been put in place by French authorities and some outdoor sporting events cancelled.<\/p>\n
In the UK, Sunday is expected to be a \u201cfine, bright day\u201d and dry for most except for potential showers in north-east England, Met Office meteorologist Jonathan Vautrey said in an online forecast.<\/p>\n
Highs of 31C are forecast in London along with 27C in Cardiff and 21C in Scotland and Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n
Monday will be a \u201ccloudier day overall\u201d, with temperatures expected to reach up to 32C with humidity forecast to rise throughout the week, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s particularly across central southern regions, where we have an extreme heat warning, an amber extreme heat warning issued, where we could see quite widely amongst the population some heat-related impacts throughout the week,\u201d Mr Vautrey said.<\/p>\n
\u201cTemperatures climbing towards the mid-30s in places, that is quite exceptional for June.\u201d<\/p>\n
An amber extreme heat warning has been issued by the weather service for Monday and Tuesday for most of southern England, south-eastern and eastern Wales, and much of the Midlands.<\/p>\n
The alert flags potential health impacts for people vulnerable to extreme heat and heat-related issues for the wider population, as well as a potential increase in water safety incidents.<\/p>\n
People in the alert area are advised to drink plenty of fluids and to keep out of the sun, and avoid exercising between 11 am and 3 pm, the Met Office said.<\/p>\n
The heat comes after at least 15 people died after getting into trouble in open water during a hot spell in May.<\/p>\n
Samantha Hughes, national water safety partner at the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, said: \u201cWith warmer weather approaching, it\u2019s important to remember that the water is still cold.<\/p>\n
\u201cEntering it unexpectedly can lead to cold water shock, causing a sudden increase in breathing and heart rate, which may trigger panic.\u201d<\/p>\n
On Saturday, the UK\u2019s highest temperature of 27.7C was measured in Writtle, near Chelmsford in Essex.<\/p>\n