Hold on to your (sun) hats…things are hotting up.
Summer exploded into life as health chiefs issued an SOS on the hottest day of the year.
The warning came as temperatures soared to 32.2C [89.9F] in Kew, West London, with much worse [or much better, depending on your view] still to come.
For tens of thousands all roads led to the coast where it was standing room only on packed Bournemouth, Brighton, and Southend beaches w here sun worshippers raced to grab a place in the sun.
But while millions took the chance to frolic by the seaside, or seek sanctuary in shaded parks and gardens, the UK Health Security Agency said temperatures this weekend could top a blistering 34C [91F], forcing it to publish a rare amber alert.
The disaster committee ‘s warning covers the entire country and remains in place until Monday due to “significant impacts…likely across health and social care services” from the blistering temperatures.
Red hot Britain is now tipped to see a slew of records tumble with all bets off on t his being the warmest summer on record.
The UK’s highest temperature in June came during the stifling heatwave of 1976 when the mercury rocketed to 35.6C (96.1F) in Southampton. But even that seems positively balmy compared to the all-time high which came on July 19, 2022, when 40.3C [104.5] was recorded in Coningsby, Lincolnshire.
After weeks of wall-to-wall sunshine bookies have now slashed the odds of this month being the hottest ever.
Cal Gildart of Ladbrokes said: “We’ve had rays for days upon days, and the forecast says there are plenty more on the way. The mercury’s rise has seen the odds on this being the hottest-ever June drop.”
Met Office meteorologist Dan Holley said: “The highest temperatures from this hot spell are forecast for Saturday with up to 34°C [93F] possible in eastern areas. Despite this, the more uncomfortable heat will be in northern and western areas initially, where despite somewhat lower temperatures the air will be more humid.
“Temperatures will ease from the west on Sunday as fresher air arrives from the Atlantic, although parts of East Anglia and the far southeast of England could still see 28-29°C [82-84F] for a time.”
A separate Met Office study suggests 40C [104F] temperatures could become a reality in the near future.
Writing in the journal Weather, experts said there was a 50/50 risk of temperatures exceeding the phenomenal landmark in the next 12 years – four years earlier than the previous estimate – and that temperatures of 45C [113F] or more “may be possible”.