Merseyside is set for a scorching few days, with some parts of the country set to be hotter than the Sahara.
Temperatures have been rising since yesterday and are set to peak tomorrow, on Friday, June 17. The Met Office has predicted that it will be the hottest day of the year so far, with temperatures hitting above 24C in Merseyside, and as much as 34C in parts of the south.
In El Aaiun, for example, in Western Sahara it is unlikely to get above 28C on Thursday or Friday. Today it will feel very warm with a chance of hazy sunshine throughout the day, in Liverpool.
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Into the evening, it will feel muggy and some may have difficulty sleeping, forecasters say. After the highs on Friday, it's expected to drop in temperature over the weekend with some risk of showers. However it will be mostly dry into next week.
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."
Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at the UK Health Security Agency, said: "Temperatures are forecast to reach 30C in some parts of the south on Friday and we want everyone to enjoy the hot weather safely when it arrives and be aware of good health advice for coping with warmer conditions.
"During periods of hot weather it is especially important to keep checking on those who are most vulnerable, such as older people and those with heart or lung conditions. Make sure to look out for signs of heat exhaustion and follow our simple health advice to beat the heat."
