Wimbledon fans warned as heatwave soars to 33C

Spectators were captured wearing strawberry hats in today’s heat (Picture: AP)

Today will be one of the hottest June days on record, with highs of 34°C serving tennis fans a sweltering start to Wimbledon.

The tennis competition has now warned others not to travel to the grounds today to ‘avoid disappointment’.

‘Please note there is a hot weather forecast for Monday and Tuesday. In both The Queue and the Grounds, there may be periods where shade is not available,’ they wrote.

And TFL staff at Earl’s Court reportedly told travellers not to go to Wimbledon because it was ‘at capacity’.

Wimbledon is set for its hottest opening day ever, with temperatures expected to surpass the previous record of 29.3°C set on June 25, 2001.

The hottest day the tournament has seen was on July 1, 2015, when temperatures reached 35.7°C.

Where is the hottest weather in the UK today?

Much of England will enter a fourth day of a heatwave, forecast to be hotter than holiday spots in Barbados, Jamaica and Mexico.

Since 1960, UK temperatures in June have surpassed 34°C in only three years, with the hottest being 35.6°C, recorded on June 28, 1976, during the hottest and longest heatwave ever recorded.

A tropical night may also be on the cards, with parts of England to stay above 20°C overnight into Tuesday, the Met Office said.

Temperatures are set to soar today, and warm weather will continue through the week (Graphic: Metro)

Tennis fans are already queuing in the heat for Wimbledon (Picture: Shutterstock)

Parts of south-east England could then hit 35°C on Tuesday. But Scotland and Northern Ireland face heavy rain and cooler temperatures.

Charlwood in Surrey recorded the hottest temperature of the year so far at 33.2°C on June 21.

A second amber heat health alert in two weeks came into force on Friday, covering London, the East Midlands, the South East, the South West and the East of England.

An official heatwave is recorded when areas reach a certain temperature for three consecutive days, with thresholds varying from 25°C to 28°C in different parts of the UK.

London Fire Brigade assistant commissioner Thomas Goodall said warned that the current risk of wildfires is severe.

The queue reached capacity on opening day by 7.30 am (Picture: AP)

The heat has left some scrambling to cool down (Picture: EPA)

‘So far this year, firefighters have responded to around 14 wildfires in the capital,’ he said. ‘There have also been countless callouts to smaller fires involving grass, trees and in other outdoor spaces, as well as in people’s gardens.

‘During this latest heatwave, it is important that everyone acts responsibly to prevent fires from occurring. As the weather has been so dry, it only takes a few sparks to lead to a fire spreading rapidly.

‘In London, this can be dangerous because so many of our green spaces lie close to homes and other properties.’