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4 months ago
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Sizzling conditions are on the way today with a mini-heatwave due to send temperatures up to 31C in some parts of the country on what is expected to be the hottest day of the year so far.
Yesterday began with some showers in the northwest of the country before clearing to sunny skies in the afternoon, while the southeast is enjoying dry conditions all day.
But by the evening, a spell of humidity started to creep in as the weather continued to warm ahead of this weekend.
The scorching temperatures will see parts of the UK experience hotter weather than Ibiza today, with highs of 28C expected on the Spanish island.
A yellow weather warning, lasting 54 hours, has been put in place from 5pm on July 18 until July 20, with the highest temperatures being seen in London, the south east and east of England, as well as the east Midlands.
The balmy weather will be a welcome break after a wet start to July saw the country already being hit by 97 per cent of the month's average rainfall.
The south-east of England and London will bear the brunt of the heat where the mercury could reach 30C later today.
BROADSTAIRS: Two women got their tan on in Broadstairs, east of England, yesterday ahead of a mini-heatwave
BROADSTAIRS: Temperatures are set to rocket this weekend, bring a close to a miserable week of rain
BROADSTAIRS: RNLI lifeguards were hard at work as families gingerly stepped into the sea
BRIG|HTON: A woman takes to the refreshing haven of the waves to cool down in the stifling heat
BRIGHT0N: One woman appeared to have found a novel way of working remotely, as she is seen perusing her laptop with intense while lying on a sun lounger on Brighton Beach
BRIGHTON: Sun-seekers enjoy a day out on Brighton beach
CAMBRIDGE: A woman ensured her dog was also kept cool in the heat by bringing the pooch with her on a paddleboard ride
CAMBRIDGE: Students from the University of Cambridge are seen in full graduation regalia- which they may struggle to stay cool in with temperatures in the city set to reach up to 30C today
CAMBRIDGE: One student feeling the heat attempts to cool himself down with a handheld fan
CAMBRIDGE: A man on board a punt in Cambridge wipes sweat from his brow
CAMBRIDGE: The silhouette of Clare Bridge reflects perfectly into the glistening waters of the River Cam on a balmy Friday morning
CAMBRIDGE: Always a popular activity for anyone visiting Cambridge, punting will be popular for locals looking to make the most of the mini-heatwave
CAMBRIDGE: Temperatures rise for people out early in Cambridge
Milder weather is predicted to return by Sunday with Met Office spokesperson Nicola Maxey warning night-time temperatures could stay in the low 20Cs for parts of south-east England.
They are officially classified as 'tropical nights' if they do not drop below 20C with possible health implications for the elderly or infirm.
It is in place from 5pm on July 18 until 11pm on July 20.
DORSET: Crowds flocked to enjoy the outdoors as temperatures climbed to 26C following a miserable start to July. Pictured: Lyme Regis
DORSET: The busy beach at Lyme Regis as sunseekers finally got to enjoy some summer weather
KENT: A couple enjoy the warm weather on the beach in Dover
KENT: While many Brits were keen to kick back and relax, one individual took the chance to flyboard in Dover
KENT: A woman can be seen venturing into the shallows from the shore as she prepares to paddleboard
KENT: One couple take a dip in the sea together, as they were seen conversing with one another on lilos
LONDON: Visitors at St James's Park in central London enjoy the sunshine this afternoon
The predicted forecast has sparked the UK Health Security Agency to sound a 54 hour heat health alert for large swathes of Britain
The government agency warning of 'minor impacts across the health and social care sector' which could 'increase the risk of mortality amongst vulnerable individuals'.
Ms Maxey said there was still uncertainty over how soon the milder conditions would come in, with the possibility that the south east could retain its heat a little longer than elsewhere.
Meanwhile, parts of the country have already well-exceeded July's average rainfall figures despite only being halfway through the month.
DORSET: Yesterday began with some showers in the northwest of the country before clearing to sunny skies in the afternoon, while the southeast is enjoying dry conditions all day (pictured is the beach at Lyme Regis)
DORSET: A couple sit under a parasol on two beach chairs at Lyme Regis in Dorset
EAST DEVON: A fishing charter boat leaves Axmouth Harbour on a warm afternoon by the sea
LONDON: Crowds relax on London's South Bank during a warm summer's day in central London
LONDON: Brits looking to cool down in the excruciating heat of the capital took a dive in Hampstead Heath ponds to freshen up
OXFORDSHIRE: People swim at Banbury Lido at Woodgreen Leisure Centre. South-eastern England is likely to see the UK's hottest day of the year by far on Frida
HAMPSHIRE: A woman relaxes on a lounger while soaking up the sun at Petersfield Open Air Pool on Friday
The Met Office spokesperson said England had 97per cent of July's average rainfall between July 1 and 15, Wales had 65 per cent, Scotland 49 per cent and Northern Ireland 47 per cent.
London has had 154 per cent of its July average already and Dorset 120 per cent. Edinburgh has only had 40 per cent and Dundee 33 per cent.
Ms Maxey said: 'There are quite big regional differences but overall it's looking like a wet month so far.
'There is a caveat that, with a dry couple of weeks, by the end of the month things could even themselves out.'
She said that two or three heavy downpours often caused much of a location's July rainfall totals, rather than a prolonged period of wet weather.
St Swithin's Day on Monday - traditionally said to predict the next 40 days of weather - was another wet one for much of England and Wales.
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