FEELING HOT HOT HOT!

UK weather – ‘Saharan blowtorch’ heatwave hits the UK today as parts of the country set to be hotter than the Caribbean

by · The Sun

A 'SAHARAN blowtorch' heatwave is due to hit the UK today as it hots up to a scorching 29C - even hotter than parts of the Caribbean.

The mercury is set to climb even higher on Friday with temperatures hitting 37C and many areas seeing thermometers break the 30C mark.

The capital tomorrow may even surpass the 37C recorded at Heathrow on July 31 — the hottest day of the year so far and the UK’s third warmest on record.

The sun sets behind Tower Bridge and the dome of St Paul's Cathedral, as the warm weather continuesCredit: PA:Press Association
 Members of the public enjoy the early morning sunshine on the Brighton And Hove promenadeCredit: London News Pictures
People sit on the bank of the river Thames in Windsor to enjoy the weatherCredit: PA:Press Association
A 'Saharan blowtorch' of hot air is moving up from southern Europe
A 700 mile-wide 'Saharan tongue of fire' will send temperatures soaring
The hot air is making England 12C hotter than average and Scotland 8C warmer than usual

Parts of the country will be hotter than top holiday destinations in the Caribbean, including the Bahamas, Jamaica and Barbados.

The sweltering temperatures are expected to continue until Sunday and are the result of hot air moving in from southern Europe.

It means Britain could pass the threshold for a heatwave, which requires three days of temperatures over 25C across most of the nation and 28C in London.

Today is expected to have a cloudy start before temperatures start to soar and there could be a possibility of some light rain at times.

But for most parts of the UK it will soon turn into a warm and pleasant day with sunny spells.

Temperatures in London and the south east could hit 29C while in northern Scotland it will be cooler at around 24C.

It is due to get even hotter on Friday with Brits set to bake in 37C in the London area.

Temperatures in London and the south east on Friday could even surpass the 37.8C recorded in Heathrow on July 31 - the hottest day of the year so far, and the UK's third warmest ever.

Met Office forecaster Oli Claydon said: "There's a strong likelihood London and the south east could see a heatwave this week, with four or even five consecutive days of incredibly warm temperatures reaching a high of 37C on Friday.

Beach goers enjoy the sun at Camber Sands in East Sussex
Women take a selfie among sunflowers near Chorleywood in Hertfordshire
A lad jumps into the sea at Hastings

"It is the result of southerly winds moving from Europe and parts of northern Africa, which will push the temperatures up."

However, rain is expected in the north west of Scotland and Northern Ireland on Friday, with highs of 26C.

England and Wales will see a fine, dry and sunny day with temperatures hitting 29C in Wales and in the low thirties for south east England and East Anglia.

Mr Claydon added: "Saturday will likely be another hot day for southern and central parts of the UK, with heatwave conditions potentially continuing in parts of southern and south-east England.

"Sunday should be the last of the heatwave conditions, before cold air moves in overnight leading to some thundery showers on Monday."

Saturday is set to be mostly a fine, sunny day but with some cloud first thing.

But there could be a chance of late afternoon showers but temperatures will be between 22-27C for many areas rising to 35C in London and East Anglia.

It will be a similar day on Sunday with sunny spells in most parts but with a chance of some showers later on.

Temperatures could push 30C in south east England although it will be cooler in most parts with temperatures around 26C.

These cyclists looked to be having fun as they rode through the Limehouse Basin in East London this morning
A sunbather chats on her mobile in Greenwich Park, London
Friends and families enjoy a day out at Camber Sands, East Sussex