Ready to sizzle! Britain is set for its hottest day of the year TODAY as temperatures soar…


Brighton and Bournemouth councils urged sunseekers to stay away amid a surge to beaches across Britain today to enjoy a day out or staycation on what is the hottest day of the year so far with temperatures closing in on 100F.

On what is Britain’s fourth hottest day ever recorded, temperatures hit 98.4F (36.8C) at London Heathrow, with even Leeds and Manchester set to reach 88F (31C) and 79F (26C) expected in Newcastle and Wales.

Temperatures in England are mirroring those in Ibiza and Spain’s Costa del Sol, with the mercury hitting 95F (35C) at London Heathrow Airport at noon today – not far off the all-time UK record of 101.3F (38.7C) set last year.

Traffic was heavy on various major roads into seaside resorts today, including the A23 into Brighton, and M27 and A31 into Bournemouth – with congestion in the Dorset town up 18 per cent on normal 2019 levels. One video revealed cars moving very slowly on the A31 at Ringwood, which is 12 miles away from Bournemouth.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council said on its ‘beach check’ app that people should ‘avoid’ the beaches at Bournemouth East and West, Sandbanks and Mudeford where ‘safe social distancing is not possible’. 

And Brighton and Hove City Council said it was ‘concerned’ about visitor numbers in the city, urging people to not travel there because it was ‘impossible’ to maintain social distancing amid limited capacity on public transport.

Sussex Police said ‘Camber is now full’, asking daytrippers not to travel there and warning that high numbers of visitors have previously caused traffic jams that have led to problems for the emergency services trying to get in. 

But the heat could end with a bang later this afternoon, with the Met Office issuing a warning for thunderstorms and up to 0.8in (20mm) of rain in an hour in some areas of eastern England between 4pm and midnight. 

Beachgoers enjoy the sunshine and sea at a packed Brighton beach in East Sussex this afternoon

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Highlands End Holiday Park at Eype in Dorset is packed with tents, caravans and camper vans on a hot day today

Highlands End Holiday Park at Eype in Dorset is packed with tents, caravans and camper vans on a hot day today

Cars queue on the M5 southbound near Bristol this afternoon as people head on staycations across Britain

Cars queue on the M5 southbound near Bristol this afternoon as people head on staycations across Britain

A sign by Bournemouth beach in Dorset today tells people to 'head home' with the beach becoming overcrowded

A sign by Bournemouth beach in Dorset today tells people to ‘head home’ with the beach becoming overcrowded

Thousands of people pack on Bournemouth beach in Dorset today on what is officially the hottest day of the year so far

Thousands of people pack on Bournemouth beach in Dorset today on what is officially the hottest day of the year so far

A busy Bournemouth beach in Dorset this afternoon, with car parks full and the traffic now coming to a standstill

A busy Bournemouth beach in Dorset this afternoon, with car parks full and the traffic now coming to a standstill

Holidaymakers and sunbathers flock to the beach at the seaside resort of Lyme Regis in Dorset this morning

Holidaymakers and sunbathers flock to the beach at the seaside resort of Lyme Regis in Dorset this morning

Two women pose as they are photographed at Southend-on-Sea beach in Essex this afternoon

Two women pose as they are photographed at Southend-on-Sea beach in Essex this afternoon

Tourists flock to Fistral beach in Newquay, Cornwall, today as the UK enjoys a spell of very hot weather

Tourists flock to Fistral beach in Newquay, Cornwall, today as the UK enjoys a spell of very hot weather

Families enjoy the hot weather in the sea and on the beach at Joss Bay in Broadstairs, Kent, this morning

Families enjoy the hot weather in the sea and on the beach at Joss Bay in Broadstairs, Kent, this morning

Beachgoers enjoy the sunshine as they sunbathe and play in the sea on Bournemouth beach in Dorset this afternoon

Beachgoers enjoy the sunshine as they sunbathe and play in the sea on Bournemouth beach in Dorset this afternoon

People enjoy the sunshine at Southend-on-Sea in Essex today as temperatures soar around the country

People enjoy the sunshine at Southend-on-Sea in Essex today as temperatures soar around the country

Beachgoers enjoy the sunshine as they sunbathe and play in the sea on Bournemouth beach in Dorset this afternoon

Beachgoers enjoy the sunshine as they sunbathe and play in the sea on Bournemouth beach in Dorset this afternoon

A group of women make the most of the sunshine in Brighton this morning as they go out on a paddle board

A group of women make the most of the sunshine in Brighton this morning as they go out on a paddle board

People take a selfie in front of the entrance of the Brighton Palace Pier in the East Sussex resort this afternoon

People take a selfie in front of the entrance of the Brighton Palace Pier in the East Sussex resort this afternoon

The park and ride bus in St Ives, Cornwall, is rammed with people this morning, making social distancing difficult

The park and ride bus in St Ives, Cornwall, is rammed with people this morning, making social distancing difficult

People bathe in the sea near Brighton Pier in East Sussex this morning during the very hot weather

People bathe in the sea near Brighton Pier in East Sussex this morning during the very hot weather

Holidaymakers flock to the beach at West Bay in Dorset today as further heatwaves are expected across the country

Holidaymakers flock to the beach at West Bay in Dorset today as further heatwaves are expected across the country

A busy Bournemouth beach is pictured today as crowds gather at the tourist hotspot on the Dorset coast

A busy Bournemouth beach is pictured today as crowds gather at the tourist hotspot on the Dorset coast

Three women row a boat as they enjoy the hot weather on the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire today

Three women row a boat as they enjoy the hot weather on the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire today

People eat ice cream on Barry Island beach in South Wales today as the heat is enjoyed by Britons across the country

People eat ice cream on Barry Island beach in South Wales today as the heat is enjoyed by Britons across the country

Many car parks in Bournemouth are full and the traffic is coming to a standstill as people flock to the Dorset coast today

Many car parks in Bournemouth are full and the traffic is coming to a standstill as people flock to the Dorset coast today

Forecasters warned of damage to some buildings from lightning strikes, power cuts, delays to train services, flooding to some homes and businesses and driving conditions being affected by spray, standing water and hail.

Foreign summer holidays are now looking increasingly risky after the Government’s last-minute announcement on Sunday that those travelling from Spain now need to self-isolate for 14 days following a spike in cases. 

But disappointed holiday-goers no longer going abroad will be pleased that popular spots in Europe including Ibiza, Lisbon and Berlin will fall short of the UK high, reaching 91F (33C), 86F (30C) and 77F (25C) respectively. 

Before today, Britain’s warmest day of 2020 so far was June 25 with 92.1F (33.4C) recorded at Heathrow, while the hottest day ever recorded in the UK was July 25 last year when Cambridge got up to 101.3F (38.7C). 

Sunseekers on a busy Bournemouth beach in Dorset today on what is the hottest day of the year so far

Sunseekers on a busy Bournemouth beach in Dorset today on what is the hottest day of the year so far

People walk along the seafront at St Ives in Cornwall this morning as temperatures soar across the country

People walk along the seafront at St Ives in Cornwall this morning as temperatures soar across the country

A man sunbathes lying on a motorbike as people enjoy the sunny weather at Brighton beach in East Sussex today

A man sunbathes lying on a motorbike as people enjoy the sunny weather at Brighton beach in East Sussex today

Women jump into the sea at Southend-on-Sea in Essex this afternoon amid the scorching conditions

Women jump into the sea at Southend-on-Sea in Essex this afternoon amid the scorching conditions

The beach at Southend in Essex is packed this afternoon as daytrippers head to the coast to soak up the sun

The beach at Southend in Essex is packed this afternoon as daytrippers head to the coast to soak up the sun

People ride on jet skis as they enjoy the sunny weather off Brighton beach in East Sussex this afternoon

People ride on jet skis as they enjoy the sunny weather off Brighton beach in East Sussex this afternoon

People enjoy the sunny weather at Brighton beach this afternoon as the UK experiences very hot conditions

People enjoy the sunny weather at Brighton beach this afternoon as the UK experiences very hot conditions

People enjoy the sunshine on Barry Island beach in South Wales today as the country experiences very hot weather

People enjoy the sunshine on Barry Island beach in South Wales today as the country experiences very hot weather

People flock to Porthmeor beach in Cornwall this morning on a warm and sunny for people across Britain

People flock to Porthmeor beach in Cornwall this morning on a warm and sunny for people across Britain

Swimmers at Charlton Lido in South East London this morning swim lengths as the temperature rises in the capital

Swimmers at Charlton Lido in South East London this morning swim lengths as the temperature rises in the capital

Women sunbathe on the beach at Brighton in East Sussex this morning on what will be the hottest day of the year so far

Women sunbathe on the beach at Brighton in East Sussex this morning on what will be the hottest day of the year so far

A full car park at Fistral beach in Newquay, Cornwall, today as people head to the coast on day trips and staycations

A full car park at Fistral beach in Newquay, Cornwall, today as people head to the coast on day trips and staycations

Holidaymakers and sunbathers flock to the beach at Lyme Regis in Dorset on a sweltering day across the country

Holidaymakers and sunbathers flock to the beach at Lyme Regis in Dorset on a sweltering day across the country

Nora Islam, four, is dressed for the hot weather on her visit to Somerset Lavender Farm in Faulkland this morning

Nora Islam, four, is dressed for the hot weather on her visit to Somerset Lavender Farm in Faulkland this morning

People enjoy the morning sun at Fistral beach in Newquay, Cornwall, today on what will be the hottest day of 2020

People enjoy the morning sun at Fistral beach in Newquay, Cornwall, today on what will be the hottest day of 2020

People head to the beach at Fistral beach in Newquay, Cornwall, this morning on another hot day for Britain

People head to the beach at Fistral beach in Newquay, Cornwall, this morning on another hot day for Britain

Surfers walk along Branksome beach in Bournemouth this morning ahead of what is expected to be the hottest day of the year

Surfers walk along Branksome beach in Bournemouth this morning ahead of what is expected to be the hottest day of the year

A woman plays volleyball in Brighton this morning as visitors enjoy the sunshine on the East Sussex coast

A woman plays volleyball in Brighton this morning as visitors enjoy the sunshine on the East Sussex coast

Cars queue on the M5 motorway southbound lanes near Bristol this afternoon

Cars queue on the M5 motorway southbound lanes near Bristol this afternoon

A child plays on the edge of a fountain at Trafalgar Square in London this afternoon as the heatwave conditions continue

A child plays on the edge of a fountain at Trafalgar Square in London this afternoon as the heatwave conditions continue

Holidaymakers flock to the beach at West Bay in Dorset today amid high temperatures across the country

Holidaymakers flock to the beach at West Bay in Dorset today amid high temperatures across the country

People enjoy the hot weather at Blackpool beach in Lancashire today as temperature soar into the 90Fs

People enjoy the hot weather at Blackpool beach in Lancashire today as temperature soar into the 90Fs

The current warm spell is due to a plume of warm air being drawn north from France and Spain (as displayed above)

The current warm spell is due to a plume of warm air being drawn north from France and Spain (as displayed above) 

Yesterday, thousands descended on resorts from Cornwall to sunspots such as Lyme Regis in Dorset and Camber Sands in East Sussex as they soaked up the heat – mirroring scenes in May as lockdown restrictions were eased.

Fears over Pride events and heat affecting social distancing on railways

Rail union officials have urged passengers to avoid crowding onto trains this weekend amid fears that unofficial Pride events and the hot weather may compromise social distancing.

The official Brighton Pride has been cancelled due to the virus pandemic, but the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) said a combination of unofficial events and other attractions on a hot weekend have sparked concerns among its members.

Assistant general secretary Mick Lynch said: ‘RMT has a strong history of supporting Brighton Pride and the organisers took the correct decision to postpone it this year in light of the pandemic to ensure everyone’s safety.

‘However, we have been made aware that unofficial events have been organised this weekend which, combined with other attractions could lead to a surge of passengers that compromises social distancing and safety measures and it’s important that is not allowed to happen.’

The union said it wanted to avoid placing rail staff or the public at risk.

The sea at Woolacombe in Devon was busy with surfers as families crowded on to the popular beach. Holiday sites in the South West of England are getting booked up for the rest of the season amid the staycation boom.

A survey by MailOnline yesterday checked with 20 of the top campsites in Cornwall and 15 in Dorset if they had any space for two adults to stay a week from today. Not one had a spare lodge, pitch or campervan space.

In other places prices have soared, with one four-star hotel in Newquay, Cornwall, costing almost £350 a night. The current warm spell is due to a plume of warm air being drawn north from France and Spain. 

Beachgoers have been urged to take precautions, including wearing sun cream and hats, as levels of ultraviolet radiation are predicted to be high.

But the heatwave is not due to last long as cooler conditions will move in through tomorrow and Sunday.

Andy Page from the Met Office said: ‘The bulk of England and Wales will have dry, very warm and sunny weather to end the week with Friday likely to be the hottest day of the year so far for the UK. 

‘A few thunderstorms are possible later on Friday and then a cold front moves eastwards by Saturday.’ 

Tomorrow, temperatures are expected to reach only 77F (25C) in London and East Anglia. Further west and north, temperatures are unlikely to exceed 72F (22C).

The heatwave comes after what forecasters describe as an ‘autumnal’ start to the week, when an ‘unseasonably deep area of low pressure crossed the UK’.

It brought winds of up to 50mph, while 35.8mm (1.4 inches) of rain was recorded in Shap, Cumbria, on Monday.

The current warm spell, which began yesterday, involves a plume of warm air being drawn north from France and Spain by southerly winds. 

The only respite from the heat could be in parts of Devon and Cornwall, where there is a chance of cloudier conditions. 

Isolated thundery showers could be sparked by the high temperatures. A mixture of sunny spells, cloud and scattered showers is expected on Sunday. 

Tomorrow's weather

Sunday's weather

Tomorrow and on Sunday, temperatures are expected to reach a maximum of only 77F (25C) in London and East Anglia

Traffic was heavy on various major roads into seaside resorts this morning, including the M27 and A31 into Bournemouth

Traffic was heavy on various major roads into seaside resorts this morning, including the M27 and A31 into Bournemouth

Visitors flock to Brighton on the hottest day of 2020 so far as the Sussex coastal resort is packed with daytrippers

Visitors flock to Brighton on the hottest day of 2020 so far as the Sussex coastal resort is packed with daytrippers

Visitors flock to Brighton on the hottest day of 2020 so far as people flock to the coast of East Sussex

Visitors flock to Brighton on the hottest day of 2020 so far as people flock to the coast of East Sussex

Tourists flock to Fistral beach in Newquay, Cornwall, this afternoon as temperatures soar into the 90Fs in Britain

Tourists flock to Fistral beach in Newquay, Cornwall, this afternoon as temperatures soar into the 90Fs in Britain

"Lido Ladies of London" Nicola Foster and Jessica Walker enjoy the heatwave at Hillingdon Sports and Leisure complex today

‘Lido Ladies of London’ Nicola Foster and Jessica Walker enjoy the heatwave at Hillingdon Sports and Leisure complex today

A general view of people gathered on the beach at Whitmore Bay on Barry Island in South Wales this afternoon

A general view of people gathered on the beach at Whitmore Bay on Barry Island in South Wales this afternoon

Two women sit in front of a tent on Barry Island beach in South Wales today as the UK experiences very hot weather

Two women sit in front of a tent on Barry Island beach in South Wales today as the UK experiences very hot weather

Rosie Lyle 21, Megan Stewart, 20, and Lois Shiel, 20, soak in the sun on the hottest day of the year in South Queensferry today

Rosie Lyle 21, Megan Stewart, 20, and Lois Shiel, 20, soak in the sun on the hottest day of the year in South Queensferry today

A woman reads a book under shade on Barry Island beach in South Wales amid the hot conditions this afternoon

A woman reads a book under shade on Barry Island beach in South Wales amid the hot conditions this afternoon

People enjoy the hot weather at Blackpool beach in Lancashire today as the UK basks in hot weather

People enjoy the hot weather at Blackpool beach in Lancashire today as the UK basks in hot weather

People enjoy the hot weather during a punt ride along the River Cam in Cambridge this afternoon

People enjoy the hot weather during a punt ride along the River Cam in Cambridge this afternoon

People sunbathe on Barry Island beach in South Wales today as they make the most of the hot weather

People sunbathe on Barry Island beach in South Wales today as they make the most of the hot weather

Pepole put up tents and lay towels on Bournemouth beach today as Britain enjoys temperatures into the 90Fs

Pepole put up tents and lay towels on Bournemouth beach today as Britain enjoys temperatures into the 90Fs

A full car park next to Bournemouth beach in Dorset today as the UK enjoys scorching temperatures

A full car park next to Bournemouth beach in Dorset today as the UK enjoys scorching temperatures

People sit on the sand on a busy Bournemouth beach today as temperatures rise into the 90Fs across Britain

People sit on the sand on a busy Bournemouth beach today as temperatures rise into the 90Fs across Britain

People queue outside a beach shop in Bournemouth today as the UK experiences extremely hot weather

People queue outside a beach shop in Bournemouth today as the UK experiences extremely hot weather

People walk along the promenade on a busy Bournemouth beach in Dorset today, with car parks full and the beach packed

People walk along the promenade on a busy Bournemouth beach in Dorset today, with car parks full and the beach packed

A woman goes paddle boarding as she enjoys the hot weather in Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire this afternoon

A woman goes paddle boarding as she enjoys the hot weather in Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire this afternoon

A busy Bournemouth beach is pictured, with car parks full and the traffic now coming to a standstill on the roads into Dorset

A busy Bournemouth beach is pictured, with car parks full and the traffic now coming to a standstill on the roads into Dorset

People enjoy the morning sun at the Fistral beach in Newquay, Cornwall, today on a hot day for much of Britain

People enjoy the morning sun at the Fistral beach in Newquay, Cornwall, today on a hot day for much of Britain

A woman goes paddle boarding at the Waterland Outdoor Pursuits Centre in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, this morning

A woman goes paddle boarding at the Waterland Outdoor Pursuits Centre in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, this morning

People paddle in the sea on Barry Island beach in South Wales this afternoon as daytrippers enjoy the warm weather

People paddle in the sea on Barry Island beach in South Wales this afternoon as daytrippers enjoy the warm weather

A woman cools herself down with an electric fan as she looks at her phone on the London Underground this morning

A woman cools herself down with an electric fan as she looks at her phone on the London Underground this morning

Families enjoy the hot weather in the sea and on the beach at Joss Bay in Broadstairs, Kent, this morning

Families enjoy the hot weather in the sea and on the beach at Joss Bay in Broadstairs, Kent, this morning

A swimmer enjoys the warm weather at Charlton Lido in South East London this morning as they swim lengths

A swimmer enjoys the warm weather at Charlton Lido in South East London this morning as they swim lengths

People walk towards the sand on Branksome beach in Bournemouth this morning on a very hot day for Britain

People walk towards the sand on Branksome beach in Bournemouth this morning on a very hot day for Britain

A woman at Charlton Lido in South East London this morning swim lengths as the temperature rises in the capital

A woman at Charlton Lido in South East London this morning swim lengths as the temperature rises in the capital

Sunseekers sit on Branksome beach in Bournemouth this morning with people pitching up early for the hot day ahead

Sunseekers sit on Branksome beach in Bournemouth this morning with people pitching up early for the hot day ahead

Joggers run along the seafront at Branksome beach in Bournemouth this morning on what will be a hot day for Britain

Joggers run along the seafront at Branksome beach in Bournemouth this morning on what will be a hot day for Britain

Heavy summer traffic has severely slowed traffic on the southbound M5 motorway in Britsol at Junction 17 today

Heavy summer traffic has severely slowed traffic on the southbound M5 motorway in Britsol at Junction 17 today 

Walkers out and about early on what is set to be the hottest day of July at Emmer Green in Reading, Berkshire, this morning

Walkers out and about early on what is set to be the hottest day of July at Emmer Green in Reading, Berkshire, this morning

People go out enjoying the beautiful weather as they make their way along the Long Walk in Windsor this morning

People go out enjoying the beautiful weather as they make their way along the Long Walk in Windsor this morning

People enjoy the weather in Windsor this morning as the country makes the most of the hot temperatures today

People enjoy the weather in Windsor this morning as the country makes the most of the hot temperatures today

Two people enjoy the morning sunshine on Wimbledon Common in South West London today as temperatures soar

Two people enjoy the morning sunshine on Wimbledon Common in South West London today as temperatures soar

Two people go out on a stroll in the morning sunshine on Wimbledon Common in South West London today

Two people go out on a stroll in the morning sunshine on Wimbledon Common in South West London today

A busy mobile home site in the Galloway area of Scotland this morning as Britons turn to staycations

A busy mobile home site in the Galloway area of Scotland this morning as Britons turn to staycations

A busy caravan and camping parks in the Galloway area of Scotland this morning as Britons go on staycations

A busy caravan and camping parks in the Galloway area of Scotland this morning as Britons go on staycations

For the first week and a half of August, the Met Office predicts the unsettled conditions ‘are likely to continue, with outbreaks of rain and scattered showers affecting all parts of the United Kingdom at times’.

Its forecast for the next ten days states: ‘The heaviest and most prolonged spells of rain are likely to be focussed towards the northwest, where it may also become quite windy at times with a risk of gales in exposed locations.

‘However, there should still be some drier and brighter spells in between the outbreaks of rain, with the driest of these conditions expected towards the South East.

‘Temperatures are likely to be slightly below average for this time of year, but perhaps near normal towards the South East.’ 

Sussex Police said in a tweet today that 'Camber is now full', asking daytrippers not to travel there and warning that high numbers of visitors have previously caused traffic jams that have led to problems for the emergency services trying to get in

Sussex Police said in a tweet today that ‘Camber is now full’, asking daytrippers not to travel there and warning that high numbers of visitors have previously caused traffic jams that have led to problems for the emergency services trying to get in

Sunrise over the fishing boats in the English Channel near Selsey near Chichester in West Sussex this morning

Sunrise over the fishing boats in the English Channel near Selsey near Chichester in West Sussex this morning

Wild swimmers enjoy the sunrise at Portobello in Edinburgh this morning at the start of a very hot day for Britain

Wild swimmers enjoy the sunrise at Portobello in Edinburgh this morning at the start of a very hot day for Britain

The sun rises as seen from Hampstead Heath in North London today on what is set to be the hottest day of the year so far

The sun rises as seen from Hampstead Heath in North London today on what is set to be the hottest day of the year so far

The sun rises behind a view of St Paul's Cathedral in the City of London today as temperatures surge into the 90Fs

The sun rises behind a view of St Paul’s Cathedral in the City of London today as temperatures surge into the 90Fs

Sunrise over a field of thistles at Orston in Nottinghamshire today on what is expected to be the hottest day of 2020 so far

Sunrise over a field of thistles at Orston in Nottinghamshire today on what is expected to be the hottest day of 2020 so far

Sunrise over Kilvington Lakes in the Vale of Belvoir in Leicestershire today on what will be a very hot day for Britain

Sunrise over Kilvington Lakes in the Vale of Belvoir in Leicestershire today on what will be a very hot day for Britain

MailOnline surveyed the 20 best campsites in Cornwall according to campsites.co.uk and found the likes of Little Trevothan Camping & Caravan Park in Helston and Polruan Holidays in Fowey are full until the end of August

MailOnline surveyed the 20 best campsites in Cornwall according to campsites.co.uk and found the likes of Little Trevothan Camping & Caravan Park in Helston and Polruan Holidays in Fowey are full until the end of August

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The short-lived heatwave comes at the end of an unseasonably chilly July. The UK average temperature for this July is currently on course to be just 57.4F (14.1C) – lower than the 1981-2010 long-term average of 59.3F (15.2C).

Britain has already surpassed 100 per cent of the average monthly rainfall and only experienced two thirds (66 per cent) of the expected sunshine for an average July, a total of 113.4 hours, Met Office figures show.

It said: ‘We’ve not seen a temperature anywhere above 30C so far or even with a three in it, that is quite unusual for July. In terms of shifting the overall weather stats for the month, it’s not going to do much to the average.’

The top temperature yesterday was 85.5F (29.7C) at Heathrow, which was the hottest day of July until today.



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