Heatwave LIVE: Brits flock to beaches ahead of 90F weekend scorcher - new pictures
BRITONS will face a scorching heatwave this weekend closely followed by a sweltering hot air plume heading in from North Africa on Freedom Day, forecasters have claimed.
UK weather: Met Office forecasts ‘strong sunshine’
“Temperatures will rise significantly at the weekend, particularly across southern Britain”, he added.
Crowds of sun-deprived Brits have already flocked to beaches and beauty spots to make the most of the sunny weekend ahead.
The current hottest day of the year was recorded June 14 when temperatures reached a balmy 29.7C in London.
Forecasters suggest Saturday, Sunday or Monday will likely knock June 14 from its throne to claim the hottest day of the year so far.
READ MORE: Heatwave forecast: Exact date hot weather will hit Britain - maps
Sun-lovers should revel in the tropical temperatures while it lasts as a thundery eruption could strike in the wake of the Bermuda High.
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17:25 London could be hotter than Ibiza!
Temperatures are expected to hit highs of 31C in London and could exceed those on the continent, with 29C predicted in Ibiza on Sunday.
Andy Page, meteorologist at the Met Office, said: "The extension of the Azores high is the principal reason behind the UK's current weather pattern, which will see much of the UK reach heatwave thresholds over the weekend and into early next week.
"High temperatures will remain in the forecast well into next week, but there's a risk of isolated heavy showers in the south of the UK on Monday and Tuesday, although it should be largely fine for most areas."
17:19 'Keep the vulnerable and animals safe!' plead authorities
Warnings about the extreme heat have been issued by medical professionals and vets, pleading people to keep the vulnerable population and animals safe.
Public Health England has advised people to look out for those who may struggle to keep cool and hydrated, such as older people and those who live alone.
Emergency animal care provider Vets Now also warned rising temperatures could increase the risk of heat stroke in dogs.
The vet service sees a spike in callouts as the weather warms up and has warned that temperatures above 20C put dogs at risk, and that survival rates for dogs with heat stroke is only 50 percent.
16:49 Sunday predicted to be the hottest day of the year
Sunday is now predicted to be the hottest day of the year so far.
Temperatures from York to Cardiff and parts of East Anglia are set to be 30C or hotter.
Met Office meteorologist, Aidan McGivern said Sunday would be: "A hot day, the hottest day of the year so far, the hottest weekend of the year so far."