Temperatures in the United Kingdom could exceed 30C (86F) for up to 10 consecutive days as the third heatwave of the year gets underway.

From the middle of the week, the heat is forecast to intensify with temperatures of up to 34C (93F) for some.

Amber heat-health alerts have been issued by the UK Health Security Agency for the Midlands, eastern and southern England from 09:00 BST on 8 July to 21:00 BST on 12 July.

Meanwhile, yellow heat-health alerts have been issued across northern England for the same period.

Significant impacts are likely across health and social care services due to the high temperatures, including a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions.

Parts of south-east England met official heatwave conditions as of Monday afternoon, with additional regions likely to meet their local thresholds as the week goes on.

Heat is forecast to build from Wednesday with temperatures across England and east Wales getting into the high 20s and low 30s Celsius.

But, it is in London and south-east England where the temperature may peak at around 34C on Wednesday and Thursday.

This heatwave is unlikely to be as extreme as the one in late June when temperatures peaked at a record-breaking 37.7C.

However, some weather forecasting models are suggesting there is a chance that parts of the UK could see temperatures in the mid- to high 30s later in the week.

After the last heatwave featured a number of nights when temperatures didn’t fall below 20C (68F) – also known as a tropical night – this spell of hot weather will be more forgiving.

Nighttime temperatures are not expected to be as high as those experienced in June, though some larger urban areas are likely to remain in the high teens overnight. This is especially likely later in the week.

It is not out of the question that a tropical night may be recorded in a few places.

Although this heatwave will allow for some overnight relief, the length of the hot spell will set it apart from those seen in May and June.

The current forecasts suggests a temperature could exceed 30C somewhere in the UK for up to 10 consecutive days.

During the June heatwave the temperature exceeded 30C somewhere in the UK on seven consecutive days. In the May heatwave, it was six days.