Brits have flocked to beaches and parks across the UK today to soak up the summer sun — as temperatures are set to eclipse the hottest day of the year so far.
The sizzling conditions mean families up and down the country have been scrambling to find a spot on the beach and queuing up for the ice cream van.
Pictures show sunbathers in St James’ Park, London, relaxing during the mini-heatwave, while beachgoers in East Sussex cool off by taking a dip in the sea.
Temperatures are expected to reach 27C in the south-east today — particularly London and the home counties— as high pressure swoops in.
But cloud and rain are set to push across the north west, with thunderstorms expected by Wednesday next week.
However, temperatures will continue to rise over the coming days to a forecasted maximum of 32C on Tuesday and Wednesday.
People relaxing in the sunshine in St James’ Park
Beachgoers enjoying the hot weather at Birling Gap in East Sussex
Thousands of people flood the beach in Brighton today, as temperatures reach highs of 27C
The UK’s maximum temperature forecast for the next week (Source: Met Office)
Crowds enjoy the hot weather at Weymouth Beach
People cool off at Warleigh Weir on the River Avon in Bath
It comes after a disappointing start to July, where the wet and chilly start has barely materialised into the Great British summer many had pinned their hopes on.
David Hayter, Deputy Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office said: ‘As we go through the weekend, the jet stream will weaken to the west of the UK generating an area of high pressure that will slowly move in across the UK.
‘High pressure means the air is sinking from higher in the atmosphere and that brings drier, settled and sunnier weather.
‘Temperatures will rise too, becoming widely above average. We could see maxima of 27°C in the south and 25°C in the northeast by Sunday.
‘There’s a bit more in the way of patchy cloud in Northern Ireland, south and west Scotland and the northern isles, so temperatures will be lower there.’
A runner takes to the country lanes in Oxfordshire as the UK experiences a mini-heatwave
Cyclists out along the country lanes in the sunshine in Binfield Heath, Oxfordshire
A man enjoying a wave at Warleigh Weir on the River Avon in Bath, Somerset
Crowds of people pack out Weymouth beach as they enjoy the hot weather
The Met Office predicts temperatures could reach up to 30C today in the south-east
Opium poppies carpet the fields on a sunny afternoon in the Oxfordshire countryside
From Tuesday onwards it will turn breezy and cloudy in the north with a few showers expected.
And in the south, hazy sunny spells and thunderstorms are expected as it remains relatively humid into the latter end of the week.
Yesterday, Her Majesty Queen Camilla was spotted at Ascot Racecourse, wearing a hat and summer dress.
Hundreds of people packed out Weymouth Beach as they enjoyed family BBQs, a swim in the sea and rides at the funfair.
The good weather will continue into next week, with the Met Office predicting highs of 29C on Monday.
People at Warleigh Weir on the River Avon in Bath, Somerset
People go for a dip at the Warleigh Weir on the River Avon in Bath
A man cools off with his dog at Warleigh Weir on the River Avon in Bath, Somerset
Rowers train during warm summer weather on the River Thames at Isleworth in London
The hotter spells are thanks to an Iberian plume which is pushing a warm weather front from Europe, where temperatures have been as high as 40C this summer.
The south-eastern areas of the country will experience the hottest weather, but most regions are expected to reap the benefits of the high pressure front.
Looking ahead, Britons can expect a much drier August with the Met Office predicting a ‘warmer than average’ period from August 7 to August 21.
London and the surrounding areas could see temperatures as high as 31C (89) on August 8.
