The maximum temperature is expected to continue to rise in the coming days, the Health Ministry warned. It is currently hovering around 34 Celsius but is expected to rise to 35 later with the temperature tomorrow reaching 36 degrees.
The June record is 40.1 degrees set on June 13, 1997. The average mean temperature in June in the past 30 years is 28.5 degrees.
The average maximum reached between June 1 and 10 is 26.8 degrees, 0.9 lower than this year's average temperature for the period.
Between June 11 and 20, the average maximum is 28.5 per cent, 3.3 degrees lower than this year's.
So far this year, today was the hottest day with the temperature at 12.45 p.m. registering 34.8 degrees and expected to go higher, a spokesman for the Meteorological Office said.
The spokesman explained that a heatwave is when the maximum temperature is greater than the average by at least five per cent for three days or more in a row.
With the temperature reaching 34.6 degrees yesterday, it was more than five per cent above average. This was also the case today and probably tomorrow and on Friday and Saturday.
Last year, June was slightly warmer than the climate average for the month. Mean air temperature was 23.4°C, which was 0.4°C above the norm. The highest air temperature in June last year was 32.6°C on June 29.
The warmest June on record was 2003 with a mean temperature of 26.1°C and the coolest was way back in 1933, with 20.9°C.
The Health Department advised the public on the importance of keeping well hydrated during the hot summer months.
High temperatures cause water to be lost from the body at quick rates resulting in dehydration. They also cause heat exhaustion or heatstroke.
The heat can affect anyone but some people run a greater risk of serious harm. These include older people, babies and young children, people with chronic conditions and the physically active.
To avoid the effects of the heat wave one should:
* Keep out of the heat by avoiding any unnecessary exposure to the sun during hot periods of the day usually between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
* Stay cool by staying in the coolest parts of the home and work.
* Drink regularly to make up for the losses and eat more cold food.
* Seek advice if you have any concerns.