Double heatwave forecast for Wales this week

People flocked to the beach in Porthcawl on Tuesday as Wales sweltered in 33C heat

Parts of Wales could to be hit by two heatwaves this week, with the third heatwave of the year under way and a fourth possible at the weekend.

A high of 33C is forecast for Tuesday, with some of the hotspots likely to be in Monmouthshire.

Thursday is likely to be somewhat cooler and will end the current heatwave, but temperatures will rise again into the weekend, BBC Wales weather presenter Sabrina Lee said.

"To experience 33C in August in Wales is actually pretty unusual. We have some data that goes back to 1930, and since then we've only had highs of 33C during five August months," she said.

Those highs were recorded in 1990, 1995, 2003, 2020 and 2022, she added.

"With climate change we expect hotter and drier summers, and for heatwaves to become more frequent."

The hot weather has also prompted the RNLI to warn coastal visitors to keep safe.

"With the large tides and sunny weather forecast this week, we are reminding people to always check the tide times and take a means of calling for help – such as a fully-charged mobile phone," the lifesaving charity said.

"If you are planning on entering the water, we'd always recommend choosing a lifeguarded beach and swimming between the red and yellow flags."

The warning came after a recent rescue by the Porthcawl RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew in Bridgend who saved two teenagers stranded on a rock with a rapidly rising tide.

"We have one of the biggest tidal ranges in the world and it's easy to get caught out, especially if you are not familiar with the area.

"Check the tide times on a trusted source like the Met Office and remember there may be local differences depending on where you are and what tide table you are reading," Porthcawl lifeboat crew member Chris Page said.

Fire services said they were tackling a blaze between Abergavenny and Tredegar, which they believe was deliberately set

Meanwhile, firefighters remain at the scene of a wildfire near the A465 between Abergavenny and Tredegar, which the fire service believes was "deliberately set".

"This fire continues to burn and has presented complex and challenging conditions for our crews to manage," said Matt Jones, head of operational response for the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

"Our firefighters have been working tirelessly since Saturday in difficult terrain to protect homes, livelihoods, and livestock," he added.

Marta Adamsqa, pictured with four-year-old Ella, said she was concerned about the continuing rise in temperatures

Marta Adamsqa, who was visiting Porthcawl on Tuesday with four-year-old Ella, said she took "extra care" with a small child in high temperatures.

"We have hats and a tent. Loads of water and if we run out we'll pop over to the shop and get some more," she said.

She added that she had noticed the summers were getting much hotter.

"Sometimes it gets to the point you don't really want to get out.

"I am worried what it's going to be like in 20 years and if we'll actually be able to go out and enjoy the sun," she said.

Others cooling down in Porthcawl were less concerned.

Local resident Gerald Thomas said it was nice to see the town so busy.

"There's a lot of towns who'd love to see this amount of people spending their money. So we are lucky," he said.

"It's nice to get out. Unfortunately we can't bring the dogs, it's too hot for them."

Analysis by BBC meteorologists Derek Brockway and Sabrina Lee

It is summer so hot spells are to be expected and we haven't broken any temperature records so far this summer yet.

But what is unusual is to have temperatures reaching 33C or more in Wales during the month of August. This has only happened during five Augusts in roughly the past 100 years.

The hot weather is reaching us from southern Europe and higher than normal sea temperatures are helping to boost temperatures as well.

For some parts of Wales this will be the third heatwave in Wales this summer, with the potential for a fourth over the weekend and in to the start of next week.