Heatwave hits Britain as temperatures set to soar

LONDON - Temperatures have soared to 30 degrees Celsius in parts of Britain and will continue to soar later this week as a heatwave intensifies, forecasters have said.

Temperature reached 30.6 degrees Celsius on Tuesday in Porthmadog in North Wales, beating Monday's 30.1 degrees Celsius in Hampton, southwest London.

The Met Office has issued a level two heatwave alert, saying dry and sunny weather will lead to temperatures gradually trending upwards during the coming week.

The heatwave has sparked wildfires and travel disruption in parts of Britain. Trains may be delayed as speed restrictions are enforced to prevent steel rails buckling in hot weather.

Britain's highest temperature recorded for June was 35.6 degrees Celsius in the southern port of Southampton in 1976.