The Met Office forecasts hot temperatures at the end of this week.
Temperatures will continue to rise as we go through the rest of the week.
Many parts of the southern half of the UK are likely to exceed 30C and may even reach 34C in some places, by Friday.
Away from the northwest, where a series of fronts are bringing rain and cloudier weather to parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland, the weather is fine and dry. The settled conditions are allowing temperatures to build day-on-day with the hottest temperatures expected to be reached by Friday for many.
Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Jason Kelly, said; “The heat is a result of a mix of home-grown warming due to a high pressure over the southern half of the UK, as well as a south westerly airflow bringing warm air, which has been over continent through the week, across the country.”
“This is the first spell of hot weather this year and it is unusual for temperatures to exceed these values in June. Some areas may see warm nights with minimum temperatures expected to be in the high teens or even low 20Cs overnight, especially in urban areas such as London.”
Today: Friday 17 June
Widely hot, perhaps very hot in places. Lengthy spells of strong sunshine expected, turning hazy at times under high cloud. Cloud gradually sinking south across the region from late-afternoon but remaining dry. Winds strengthening through the day. Maximum temperature 32 °C.
Tonight:
Cloud will spread south across the region with outbreaks of patchy rain overnight. Southern areas staying dry. Breezy. Feeling muggy as overnight temperatures remain warm, although cooler towards the north. Minimum temperature 17 °C.
Saturday:
Cloudy for much of the region with outbreaks of rain, turning heavy and persistent at times with a risk of thunder. Blustery and feeling significantly cooler. Maximum temperature 22 °C.
Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:
Cloud and rain clearing Sunday morning. The outlook then mostly warm and dry with sunny spells and light winds. Chance of showery rain reaching northern parts on Tuesday.