Hundreds of sun-starved Britons have begun to descend upon the nation's parks and beaches today as the country prepares to bask in temperatures of up 91F on what is expected to be the hottest day of the year.
As a wet and windy week comes to an end, most areas will see spells of warm sunshine break through, with temperatures set to climb to 86F in Cardiff, 89.6F in London and a scorching 91.4F set to sweep across the south of the UK.
In Bournemouth, where temperatures are expected to soar to 80.6F, sun-seekers flocked to the beach this morning to enjoy the warm weather while others poured onto Branksome beach in Poole, Dorset, to take in the sea air.
It comes as Northern Ireland saw its highest temperature on record yesterday, with Ballywatticock in County Down getting to 88.2F (31.2C), beating the previous high of 87.4F (30.8C) reached on both July 12, 1983 and June 30, 1976.
The sizzling weather, driven by a blast of warm air coming in from the Azores in the North Atlantic, has prompted health officials to issue warnings about the dangers of extreme heat and high UV ray levels - especially to the elderly and vulnerable.
The balmy weather is due to last until so-called 'Freedom Day' on Monday, the day when the last of the restrictions are due to be lifted by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, when thunderstorms could arrive.
It also comes just days after Londoners were left battling 'biblical storms' as flash floods hit the capital this week and left a trail of destruction across the city, with rescue teams evacuating properties amid fears of collapsing ceilings and several tube stations forced to close.
Hundreds of sun seekers arrive to Bournemouth beach today as the country prepares to bask in temperatures of up 91F on what is expected to be the hottest day of the year
Visitors arrive to Bournemouth beach to enjoy the sizzling weather as the nations sees spells of warm sunshine break through
Sun seekers arrive to Branksome beach in Poole this morning to enjoy the waves and the warm weather following a week of rain and thunderstorms
People take a joy along Branksome beach in Poole this morning as the nation gears up for the hottest day of the year so far
As the summer heatwave continues Tom Morgan, meteorologist at the Met Office, said: 'Temperatures are expected to increase even further on Sunday, reaching highs of 33C in the south of the UK.'
He added an extended hot spell of weather is expected to last for much of the week ahead, adding: 'It's going to mean that people are really going to feel the effects of the heat as we go through this week.'
Yesterday in England, 86.5F was recorded in Coton In The Elms, Derbyshire, surpassing the 85.4F recorded in south-west London on June 14.
The year's highest temperatures so far were also recorded in Usk, Monmouthshire, Wales, at 85.2F, and in Threave, in the Dumfries and Galloway region of Scotland, at 82.7F.
The heat yesterday beat the previous 2021 high of 85.5F (29.7C) which had stood for more than a month after being set on June 14 in Teddington, South West London.
On Saturday, thousands descended upon a seaside in Linton-on-Ouse, North Yorkshire, as temperatures soared to 87.2F.
Hundreds of drivers were stuck in hour-long queues the M5 towards the South West from Bristol as holidaymakers rushed to enjoy the three-day heatwave.
Bournemouth also saw
