Mercury to hit sweltering 30C TODAY as Met Office gives UK heatwave verdict

in the UK are set to hit 30C today - but forecasters have ruled out a .

Although it has been a particularly warm and humid week, with the mercury reaching 26.7C in Wisley, Surrey on Tuesday, it isn't quite enough to be classified as a heatwave, forecasters say. It means the UK Health Security Agency will not issue a heat-health alert despite the scorching highs expected today across the Southeast of England.

If the mercury peaks at 30C, it will the warmest start to May on record. The says the UK is experiencing "a brief very warm or even hot spell" and, though the weekend won't be as sizzling, it will be dry and pleasant in most places, particularly across the Southwest of England.

Michael Silverstone, deputy chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: "Temperatures are set to reach around 27°C, maybe even 28°C, then climbing to 29°C or even 30°C. By Friday, the heat will start to ease, though parts of the south and southeast may still reach 27°C or 28°C. The weekend will bring cooler conditions, with more average temperatures for all parts by Sunday.

"Based on the definition of a heatwave, it looks unlikely that we’ll reach one this week. Admittedly, it could be close for a few places in the south though, with temperatures either today or Friday only just failing to exceed the required threshold."

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maps indicate the hottest places in the UK today will include Surrey, Berkshire, Greater London and Oxfordshire. It will be warmer across the UK today than earlier this week. It was around 25C in both Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, and across parts of west Wales on Tuesday. It became warmer still on Wednesday with Wisley topping the charts, and Bude, Cornwall, not far behind with a 26C peak.

But is met when a location records a period of at least three consecutive days with daily maximum temperatures meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature threshold. The threshold varies by UK county, and typically counties in the southeast have higher thresholds - of up to 28C in places. Areas in London and the surrounding regions saw highs of around 24C on Tuesday, which isn't hot enough to meet the UK heatwave threshold.

Today's glorious sunshine does bring its perils. Whilst you may be tempted to head to the coast for a paddle or swim, bear in mind that the sea is still pretty cold at this time of year. Gareth Morrison, head of water safety for the RNLI, said: "With the warm weather forecast this week, we want to remind everyone to stay safe when visiting the coast. Whilst the air temperature will be high, water temperature remain dangerously cold. If possible, choose a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags."