Greater Manchester set to hit 28C as third UK heatwave forecast, but Met Office says it could 'persist for longer'

Greater Manchester could see temperatures reach 28C within days as a third heatwave has been forecast, though the Met Office says it will not be a repeat of last week's record-breaking heat.

Temperatures in the region will climb gradually: 21C on Sunday (July 5), 22C on Monday and Tuesday, 26C on Wednesday, 27C on Thursday and peaking at 28C on Friday (July 10). If those figures hold, Greater Manchester will officially experience a heatwave, defined locally as three consecutive days above 25C.

Why will this heatwave be different?

The Met Office said: "The position of the high-pressure system means the UK will avoid the exceptionally hot continental air that fuelled the recent record-breaking temperatures across western Europe. As a result, temperatures are likely to remain in the high 20s or low 30s rather than the mid to high 30s, and humidity levels should be noticeably lower."

However, the Met Office warned that although the upcoming heat is likely to be "less extreme" than the late-June spell, it could "persist for longer."

Last week saw a new June temperature record of 37.7C recorded at Lingwood in Norfolk, beating records on three consecutive days.

Are health alerts in place?

The UKHSA has issued a yellow heat-health alert for the East Midlands, South East, South West, East of England and London from 12pm on Saturday (July 4) until 5pm on Wednesday (July 8).

The agency warned of increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable people, greater risk to life for vulnerable individuals, the potential for indoor environments to become very warm, and an increased risk of water-related incidents including cold-water shock and drowning.