BERKSHIRE is set to scorch this week as temperatures are predicted to hit highs of 32 degrees on Friday (August 7) and remain very hot into Saturday.

Reading and Bracknell will see weather turn drier and much warmer as the week progresses, with very high temperatures also hitting most other areas in the south.

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The Met Office has issued a heat health alert for parts of England for later this week.

With strong summer sunshine at this time of year, UV levels will be high.

Commenting on the hot weather later this week, deputy chief meteorologist, David Oliver added: “High temperatures could trigger some thunderstorms across southern parts of the UK over the weekend, but for most there will be plenty of dry and sunny weather."

What to expect in Reading and Bracknell

Wednesday, August 5

Reading and Bracknell are both expected to see highs of 24° tomorrow, with the warmest temperatures hitting at around 4pm.

Early cloud will break through the morning to give some warm sunny spells, although it will be feeling fresher in the breeze.

Cloud will thicken later, but it will likely staying dry overnight.

A high pollen count is expected.

Thursday, August 6

Temperatures will climb on Thursday, reaching around 26°.

The sunniest and hottest weather will kick in at around 7pm, with the Met Office forecasting cloud followed by sunnier spells in the afternoon, however it will be a largely warm day.

The pollen count will again be high.

Friday, August 7

Morning mist will quickly change to sun as temperatures soar, with highs of 32° coming in at around 4pm.

The pollen count remains high.

WEEKEND: Saturday, August 8/ Sunday, August 9

The weekend is set to be a good one, with a sunny two days expected.

With highs of 30°, there will be hot intervals throughout Saturday.

The warmest temperatures are expected at around 1pm, and temperatures will begin to drop to around 22° at 10pm.

On Sunday, sunny intervals will turn cloudy in the evening.

The hottest time will be from 1pm - 7pm, with temperatures varying between 26° and 28°.

A high pollen count remains.

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Met Office chief meteorologist Frank Saunders said: "Most of us will see a spell of warm, summery weather later this week, with hot weather developing across southern parts of the UK.

"From Thursday, temperatures will be in the low- to mid-20s Celsius for Northern Ireland, Scotland and north Wales, but it will be much warmer across southern and central areas, with temperatures widely reaching around 30 Celsius, possibly 32 Celsius in the southeast of England.

"It'll be another hot day on Friday, with temperatures widely reaching 30 Celsius, or higher, in central, southern and some northern parts of England.

"It is likely to be hotter still in southeast England where 34 to 37 Celsius is possible.

"Saturday will likely be another hot day for southern and central parts of the UK, with heatwave conditions possibly being met in parts of southern and southeast England."

The highest temperature reached so far this year is 37.8 Celsius, recorded at Heathrow on July 31st.