The Department of Meteorology has forecast scorching temperatures for inland areas of the island, with highs reaching 42°C.

The heatwave is expected to intensify in the coming days, with highs potentially exceeding 44°C by Saturday.

While temperatures are forecast to dip slightly later in June, they are likely to remain above the seasonal average of 34°C for inland regions.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for Wednesday afternoon, with temperatures set to reach as high as 41 degrees Celsius inland as a new heat wave that will last until Sunday arrives.

Temperatures over the next few days will be between 10 to 12 degrees Celsius higher than the seasonal average.

The warning will be in place from 12 pm until 5.30 pm.

In addition, the forestry department announced that the risk of forest fires is at the “red alert” level.

Winds will initially blow south-easterly to south-westerly and locally north-westerly to north-easterly, mild, force 3, before turning south-westerly to north-westerly, mild to moderate, 3 to 4 on the Beaufort scale.

The sea will be smooth to slight.

Temperatures are expected to rise to around 41 degrees Celsius inland, around 34 degrees in the south and east, around 32 degrees on the north coast, and around 31 degrees on the west coast and in the mountains.