- .Summer 2013 began in spectacular fashion with sunshine across the country
- .Temperatures hotter than many Spanish resorts - highs of 27C in London
- .But Sunday expected to eclipse even that and reach a scorching 30C
By JAMES TOZER
Britain has been basking in the hottest temperatures of the year so far today - and its set to get even warmer.
After a damp and disappointing spring, summer finally began in spectacular fashion with temperatures as high as 27 degrees in London.
And there is plenty more sunshine to come with the mercury expected to rise to 30c (86f) – hotter than Corfu, Malaga, New York and Singapore - tomorrow.
Fun in the sun: Imogen Perry, 5, and Natasha Perry, 3, enjoy the sunshine on Brighton Beach today
Beautiful morning: The sun rises over a ship off the North East coast near Tynemouth as forecasters say the weather will be much hotter than usual for the time of year
Sun's up: The sun shines brightly above Tynemouth this morning ahead of what forecasters predict will be a hot summers day
People relax in the hot sunshine during day three of the Barbury International Horse Trials at Barbury Castle, Wiltshire
The forecast was expected to be fine for day three of the Barbury International Horse Trials at Barbury Castle, Wiltshire
Forecasters are predicting we could be in for the best spell of summer weather for seven years.
Rolling Stones fans heading to Hyde Park for the ageing rockers' gig will want to take suncream while the roof will undoubtedly remain open for Andy Murray's Wimbledon final against Novak Djokovic in warm temperatures tomorrow.
The weather will be much hotter than usual for the time of year - the average maximum temperature for July in England is 20.9C (69.5F) - and many parts of the country will enjoy temperatures on par with popular Spanish holiday resorts, forecasters said.
Tom Tobler, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, said: 'Parts of London have seen 27C, while the east Midlands, Yorkshire and East Anglia have all been past the mid-20s.'
'We haven't had the best of it yet. It could be even warmer later on today, while tomorrow could be the best day of this spell.'
Most of the UK has experienced widespread sunshine, although people in parts of northern Scotland were left clutching their umbrellas under rain and drizzle.
Those enjoying the sunshine today, thanks to a period of high pressure, can expect further balmy conditions for at least next week.
Mr Tobler said: 'Tomorrow will be around 30C, if not 30C, and there is potential for it to be the hottest day of the year. The high pressure is just staying in place for the next week or so at least. Tomorrow might well be the warmest of that period.'
The last time the country enjoyed a long spell of warm July weather was in 2006 when temperatures were above 28C (82.4F) in many areas for a fortnight.
More recently, temperatures peaked at 30.7C (87F) between July 23 and 26 last year.
Deckchairs: Two people lazing in the sun in St James's park, central London
Forecast: The warm and sunny weather is expected to last throughout the weekend and into Monday
Here comes the sun: Summer has begun for Genevieve Strange at Great Yarmouth beach, Norfolk
Beach dash: Genevieve and her brother Roan run across the pebbles at Great Yarmouth beach as temperatures peaked
Holiday time: A family sit on Brighton Beach and the British seaside expects and invasion during the first day of the weekend heatwave
The Saturday sunshine brought hundreds to Brighton pier as temperatures are expected to hit 30 degrees over the weekend
London eye: Britain is expected to bask in the hottest temperatures of the year this weekend
Paddleboat: A couple of girls float in the Serpentine Lake in Hyde Park central London, as hot weather hits the capital city
Paddle: People cool off in the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park as the sun beats down
Cooling down: Children bathed in the Diana memorial with their parents yesterday afternoon
Catching a wave: A surfer takes advantage of a windy conditions at Fistral Beach in Newquay, England
Calmer waters: A fishing boat comes back into the harbour at Fistral Beach. The build up to the busiest part of the year for the Cornish resort is coinciding with sunny weather
Geronimo: A young boy jumps into the sea from the harbour wall in Newquay
Wetsuit: Residents of the sea-side town relish the weather yesterday
Sunbathe: Sun worshipers took to the beach yesterday in Newquay
The previous highest temperature of the year was 27C (80F) on June 30 but recent years have seen Britons endure wet and overcast summers.
‘Most of us will enjoy fine, sunny weather throughout the weekend thanks to an area of high pressure over Southern England,’ said Gareth Harvey of MeteoGroup.
‘Sunday should see the best of the temperatures which could reach 30c in South-East England, but the week ahead will continue to feel warm and pleasant.’
In contrast, last July was the coolest since 2000 and one of the dullest on record, with many parts of the UK experiencing twice the normal rainfall, bringing flash floods to some areas.
The prospect of the first lengthy heatwave since July 2006 – combined with a big sporting weekend featuring Lions rugby as well as Wimbledon – has already started a barbecue boom.
Asda reported a 116 per cent increase in barbecue sales and expects it will sell three times more burgers and twice as many ribs as normal this weekend.
Waitrose said sales of Pimm’s were up 90 per cent on the week before and rosé wine by half.
Its supply chain director David Jones said: ‘The weather has a huge impact on customer choices and we’re geared up for a blazing weekend.’
High UV levels mean suncream will be a must for anyone spending significant amounts of time outdoors, while fire chiefs have warned those planning a barbecue to heed basic safety warnings.
Different kind of record: As the temperature looks hit a year-high, Londoners make a splash in Victoria park with an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the largest sprinkler
Big splash: As London basks in a 28 degree sunshine, the massive sprinkler in Victoria Park helps some cool down
Ballin': A group of revellers take part in a game of volleyball on Brighton Beach on Saturday
Hot: Thousands of spectators will be stifling in their finery today as temperatures look likely to soar at the annual regatta
Fun in the sun: A female spectator enjoys the warm weather during day three of the Royal Henley Regatta on the Thames yesterday
Heating up: Forecasters said temperatures will climb steadily through the 20s 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
High society: Ladies and gentlemen wore their best blazers and hats for Henley's famous regatta
Tradition: Many spectators wear their rowing club jackets for the historic event
Serene: While spectators competed to be best dressed on the shore, a serious rowing competition took place on the water for the Henley Regatta
Looking the part: Spectators enjoyed champagne bars, restaurants and deck chairs on the shore
Fancy seeing you here: Old friends unite in the members enclosure during day three of the Henley Royal regatta
Crews in the capital were called to four barbecue blazes in the space of two-and-a-half hours last weekend.
Dave Brown of the London Fire Brigade said it was vital to check equipment if it was being used for the first time since last summer.
‘Barbecues are fine as long as you take a few sensible steps, such as lighting them away from anything that could catch fire and don’t leave them unattended,’ he added.
After widespread sunshine yesterday pushed temperatures into the mid-20s for many parts of England and Wales, forecasters say today will feel very warm with just a few patches of cloud.
The hottest weather is expected to be felt in the south, particularly in London.
There could be a slight risk of rain in certain parts, particularly north-west Scotland, but according to Andy Ratcliffe of Meteogroup, most of the UK should enjoy fine weather.
But tomorrow will be the pick of the current sunny spell, with parts of the South-East touching 30c (86f).
Red hot: Seas of poppies bring a flash of vivid colour near Brighton in yesterday'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
Splashing around: Nafisa (left) and Sana Rehman enjoy the warm weather among the fountains of City Park, Bradford
Missing out: Not everywhere is bathed in sunshine, Brighton pier remained shrouded in sea mist earlier yesterday
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
Sea breezes will make coastal areas feel slightly cooler, while western parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland, along with the north of England are likely to see cloud and the occasional shower.
Next week won’t be quite as warm as the breeze starts to pick up, but temperatures for England and Wales should remain up in the 20s for some time to come.
According to the Met Office, most of us will continue to enjoy days that are ‘fine, dry and settled with some long sunny spells’ at least into the middle of the month, remaining ‘dry and settled’ right through to the start of August.
Boys of summer: Youngsters use stepping stones to cross the River Wear, County Durham, in glorious sunshine
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 win the Wimbledon final on Sunday
Support: The stage is set for a marvellous super Sunday in Britain
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.
The month-long forecast is more uncertain but predicts that the heatwave could last into August.
Jubilant July: Rowers on the river Wye in Ross on Wye , Herefordshire, bask in warm temperatures in the mid 20s
Sunkissed: A glorious view of Ross on Wye in Herefordshire
Sedate: A couple of rowers take a more relaxed approach compared to the serious competition at Henley
River bound: It has been a day to be outdoors in Britain and the trend is set to continue next week
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
A dog's life: Even Henry the English springer spaniel is managing to enjoy the hot temperatures with a splash around in the River Wye
That has led to hopes of the best July since records began in 1914. In 2006 temperatures hit 36.5c (97.7f) in Wisley, Surrey.
Ladbrokes have cut the odds of this being broken to 3/1. Odds that the highest temperature ever will be recorded this summer have also fallen – from 20/1 to 8/1.
The UK record of 38.5c (101.3f) was recorded in Faversham, Kent, on August 10, 2003.
Bucket and spade: Two children get practising for the summer holidays making sandcastles in Bournemouth
Mass exodus: Traffic is already queuing in Wiltshire as people head to the west country for the weekend
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 yesterday
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
Good timing: For once Britain's good weather appears to be coinciding with the busy summer period
Summer has started: Forecasters agreed that this is likely to be a 'sustained' period of sunny weather
Practice makes perfect: Pro surfer Corinne Evans enjoys the Cornwall surf which looks more like California
Sizzling: Professional surfer and model Corinne Evans, 25, prepares for dip in the sea in Cornwall
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
Watch out: A sea gull circles as tourists begin to pile onto the beach at Newquay
Freshening up: A couple enjoy a paddle in Newquay as sea temperatures around Britain are a mild 14 degrees
Racing: Two surfers go toe-to-toe in Newquay - many more are likely to take to the seas over the weekend
Impressive: A surfer takes advantage of some wonderful waves in Newquay yesterday afternoon
Getting busy: Surfers and bodyboarders line up in the shallows as the sunshine heats up Britain's shores
Flying high: An ambitious surfer takes a spectacular tumble in the afternoon surf
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