THE Hampshire heatwave is here as Winchester temperatures are expected to reach 30 degrees this week. 

Locals set out their picnic blankets today to enjoy the sun and warm weather at the Winchester Cathedral grounds and Abbey Gardens on Monday, July 29. 

The temperature is expected to peak on Tuesday with a high 31C and remain warm for the rest of the week.

A heat health alert was issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for Winchester and the rest of Hampshire.

A yellow weather warning has been issued for Hampshire and much of England for Thursday, August 1, with potential thunderstorms forecast. 

The spike in temperature should be brief though as next Monday, August 5, is forecast for a high of 22C, a decline from this Tuesday's high. 

Met Office forecast for Winchester this week:

Monday, July 29: 28C, sunny.

Tuesday, July 30: 31C, sunny.

Wednesday, July 31: 30C, sunny changing to partly cloudy by nighttime.

Thursday, August 1: 29C, yellow weather warning with potential thunderstorms.