The hottest UK day on record has been predicted today, as the mercury is set to hit 40C.
Yesterday, temperatures peaked at 38.1C in Santon Downham, Suffolk, making it the hottest day of the year and the third hottest day on record, after 38.7C in Cambridge in 2019 and 38.5C in Faversham, Kent, in August 2003. Across Merseyside, there were highs of 35C.
The Met Office has said it's possible that in isolated areas, highs of 41C could come today, making the country hotter than Jamaica, the Maldives and Barbados. Rachel Ayers, a Met Office forecaster, said: "Overnight it's going to stay very warm so expect a difficult night of sleeping.
READ MORE: Live heatwave updates on Liverpool's hottest day ever as Merseyrail cancel trains
"We then have a pretty unprecedented day, the temperature will be very hot throughout the day, before rising as high as 40C, maybe even 41C in isolated spots across England during the afternoon. This will make it the hottest day on record and the first time we have seen temperatures as high as 40C."
Across Merseyside specifically, today will be very hot again, with rising temperatures throughout the day. However cloud cover could move in, bringing the chance of showers of thunderstorms in the evening.
On Wednesday, it will be cloudier and much less hot, with isolated showers expected at times. While it will be largely dry over the next few days, there may be quick, heavy showers .
The weather has caused disruption across many services, including Merseyrail. The train service has said the number of trains running and journey times will be "seriously affected."
Merseyrail has announced the Kirkby line will not run at all, with no rail replacement bus in service. There will be disruption, including a reduced timetable, on other lines. For all the latest travel news, visit our live blog.
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