A sizzling summer looks on the cards as temperatures are set to soar this week. According to the Met Office, temperatures could climb as high as the mid-30s this week and parts of Britain could be hotter than Jamaica and Portugal.
Temperatures are to rise through the week and Friday is on course to be the hottest day of the year in the UK, reaching 24C in the North East. Monday is expected to bring sunny spells for England and Wales ahead of hotter temperatures in mid-week, reports the Mirror.
The warm weather could become a feature of the summer with heatwaves also likely over the coming months, and one meteorologist hailing a turning point after a disappointing start to the year.
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Steven Keates of the Met Office said: “There’s not been much in the way of exceptionally warm days or hot days yet this year, but that is set to change.
“We’re set to see probably a brief spell of hot weather at the end of this coming week.”
Temperatures are currently forecast to reach 32C in the south-east on Friday but Mr Keates added: “It could possibly be a little hotter than that… mid-30s are possible.”
Should mercury levels creep into the 30s this week, Britain would likely be hotter than Portugal, Jamaica, Costa Rica, the Canary Islands and Cyprus.
It would also mean the hottest day of the year so far, eclipsing the record of 27.5C set in mid-May at Heathrow.
“We should beat that comfortably on Friday and potentially exceed it, or get very close to it, on Wednesday and Thursday as well,” Mr Keates said.
The meteorologist added that heatwaves - three consecutive days of high temperatures - were possible between June and mid-September.
"We think at the moment it will be warmer than average with an increasing likelihood of heatwaves," he said.
"There have been no heatwaves so far this year... the greater likelihood is that it's going to be the further south, south east, you are."
It comes as UK tourists heading to Spain or Portugal have been warned of intense weather conditions as temperatures soar.
The mercury could top 40C in some Spanish towns, with no sign of the heatwave settling in the next few days.
Intense conditions are expected in Costa del Sol, as well as the Balearic and Canary Islands, up until the end of next week.
An orange weather warning has been issued with highs of 44C forecasted in Andalusia.
North East weather forecast for the next 5 days
Today
After a cool start it will be a mostly fine and dry day, with variable cloud and bright or sunny spells. Perhaps the odd light shower is possible on western hills. Less windy than Sunday. Feeling warm in sunnier spells. Maximum temperature 18 °C.
Tonight
A largely dry night, with clear spells for many. Perhaps cloudier over western hills, with some patchy drizzle possible. Turning locally cool in some rural spots, with light winds. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
Tuesday
After a cool start in places, it will be a fine and dry day, with lengthy spells of sunshine. Feeling warmer than on Monday, with light winds. Maximum temperature 20 °C.
Outlook for Wednesday to Friday
Staying fine and dry throughout the period, with variable amounts of cloud and sunny spells. Potentially becoming very warm by day, but some locally cool nights are possible.
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