- .Summer 2013 starts at last - with Sunday predicted to be the hottest day
- .Most of the UK will be dry, sunny and very warm over the weekend
- .Parts of north west Scotland and Northern Ireland will have rain showers
By ANNA EDWARDS
Now is the time to dust off the barbecue - summer 2013 has begun at last.
Forecasters say that the UK is in for some blistering hot weather with sizzling temperatures of up to 30C - just in time for the weekend.
If all goes to plan, the warm spell will set the stage perfectly for a Super Sunday - as Andy Murray is bidding to be in the final of Wimbledon.
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Fun in the sun: A female spectator enjoys the warm weather during day three of the Royal Henley Regatta on the Thames today
Heating up: Forecasters say temperatures will climb steadily through the 20s today and may even hit 30 by Sunday
Cooling off: The weather is looking perfect for the Henley Regatta and many other summer events taking place this week
Careful: Those spending time in the sun will need hats, sunglasses and suncream as temperatures heat up
Scorching: Henley Regatta spectators stretch back and relax in the summer sun
Worn out: The summer heat gets too much for some who decide to take at rest on the grass
Full steam ahead: There's plenty to do in the sunshine this weekend with Henley Regatta and Wimbledon in full flow
Summer at last: The three-day forecast is dry and bright with only the odd spot of rain in NW Scotland
Met Office forecaster Michael Lawrence said: 'Temperatures are going to be stable around the top or mid-20s today, and we will then see a steady climb into the high 20s on Saturday and nudging towards 30C on Sunday.'
He said the north-west of Scotland might have the odd spell of rain, but added that the longer-term forecast indicated a period of stable, dry weather.
But it will be a warm and dry day elsewhere with plenty of summer sunshine, but with a sea breeze making coastal areas a touch cooler.
Forecasters MeteoGroup said rain would only affect parts of Scotland and northern Ireland, and only for short spells.
Red hot: Seas of poppies bring a flash of vivid colour near Brighton in today's sunshine
Beautiful: Only the far north-west of Scotland is expected to miss out on Britain's warm spell
Hot wheels: Twins Zach and Max Bruce, aged three, race their scooters in the sunshine at Southsea, near Portsmouth
Missing out: Not everywhere is bathed in sunshine, Brighton pier remained shrouded in sea mist earlier
Clouded out: The popular holiday pier was virtually hidden behind thick, wet mist
Fingers crossed: Tourist venues will be hoping the mist clears over the weekend
A spokesman said: 'On Saturday, rain initially in north-west Scotland may spread south-east across Northern Ireland and the rest of Scotland. However, these areas should be largely fine otherwise.
'The rest of the UK will be dry, sunny and very warm, although a shade cooler around the coasts again.
'On Sunday, northern parts of the UK will see some sun, but with variable cloud bringing the threat of a few spots of rain.
'Further south, it will be sunny and very warm for many once again.'
Boys of summer: Youngsters use stepping stones to cross the River Wear, County Durham, in glorious sunshine today
Heatwave: The hot temperatures are set to continue all next week as well
Isolated showers: Thomas Kingston, eight, cools down his brother Alex, six, as warm weather sweeps across Britain
Hot spot: Tennis fans race to get a a place on Murray Mount ahead of his semi-final at Wimbledon
Fingers crossed: The nation will hold its breath again as Murray bids to reach the Wimbledon final on Sunday
Support: If Murray reaches the final, the stage will be set for a marvellous super Sunday in Britain
Met Office forecasters say that July looks set to be a warm month for Britain - a welcome relief to those of us sick of grey clouds and chilly temperatures that seem to have been here since October last year.
Last July was the coolest since 2000 and one of the dullest on record, with many parts of the UK suffering twice the normal rainfall, bringing flash floods to some areas.
And there have even been recent predictions of soggy British summers for the next 10 years.
Yesterday, however, the weathermen were in a more optimistic mood, with Mr Burton predicting that temperatures will remain high into next week.
Jubilant July: Rowers on the river Wye in Ross on Wye , Herefordshire, bask in warm temperatures in the mid 20s
Cattle graze behind a field of oil seed rape in North Yorkshire as warm weather is set to return for the weekend
Cooling off: This bear, named Wendy, has the right idea as she cools off at Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire
Too hot to handle: Soctt the baby elephant throws damp sand over himself in an attempt to cool off at Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire
‘It certainly looks like this fine weather is going to stick around,’ he said. ‘It is one of the more prolonged spells of dry sunny weather in quite a while.’
The Met Office long-term forecast is for the high pressure to stay in place over the south of England for two weeks, making it stay ‘warm or very warm’.
Across the UK it will be ‘fine and settled’ with cloudier weather and the occasional shower over north-western parts.
Holiday weather: Early birds are already on the beach in Newquay lapping up the rays
Surfs up: It was ideal weather for water sports at Fistral Beach in Newquay today
Doggy paddle: A canine companion looks to cool off with a splash about in the sea at Newquay
Popular: Crowds are already gathering at Newquay and are expected to swell considerably with this weekend's good weather
Summer has started: Forecasters agreed that this is likely to be a 'sustained' period of sunny weather
A lavender field in Hampshire blooms as Britain prepares for blisteringly high temperatures this weekend
Scent of summer: Natalie Essex-Crosby walks through a glorious field of lavender in Alton, Hampshire
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