SWELTERING weather is set to sweep across the country early this week, bringing sticky conditions and high UV Levels.

But Hampshire is likely to miss out, with temperatures in Southampton forecast to peak at 21°C.

Britain could experience its hottest day so far this year - with temperatures expected to reach the low thirties - as hot air from the continent warms up the country.

But the warmest conditions in Hampshire will be just 24°C, in Winchester, according to the Met Office.

Cloud will set in today and also tomorrow in some places around the county, with rain expected to close the working week on Friday.

The Met Office says other parts of the south could see highs of 28°C on Monday.

Sticky conditions will make it difficult to sleep, particularly in urban areas, the forecaster warned, and said that UV Levels are predicted to be high.

And as the hot weather graces the south coast, NHS England South is advising the public to wear a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses as part of its new campaign: #CoverUpMate.

Latest statistics from Cancer Research show that since the late 1970s, skin cancer incidence rates have more than quadrupled in Great Britain.

Figures from Public Health England show the south has seen a huge rise in incidence of malignant melanoma in recent years, and in some cases even death.

NHS England South medical director Nigel Acheson said: “We all like to joke about the great British summer, but as July’s mini heatwave showed, just a few hours of unexpected hot sun can be really intense.

“The dangers are all too clear, not only getting burned or sunstroke but also the added risk of developing skin cancer later in life.

“Put simply, Cover Up, Mate with hat, sunscreen and sunglasses to protect yourself and your family.”

He added that many areas across the south have higher rates of malignant melanoma than the national average.

Nevertheless, the warm weather is not set to last.

Forecaster Emma Sharples said: "By the time we get to Thursday we'll be back into much fresher conditions again, temperatures down to around average in the high teens and low twenties with a typical mix of summer weather which we're more used to in the UK."

Ms Sharples also dismissed suggestions that a "Spanish Plume" would bring hot weather to the country for the next fortnight.

"A Spanish Plume refers to how we break down the spell of warm sunny weather and the act of thunderstorms happening - so it's a title of an event to define a set of characteristics that set off thunderstorms.

"It's not the Spanish Plume which produces hot weather really, although they tend to come in tandem."