On Friday 31st, the UK experienced its hottest day of the year so far this year. The temperature of 9°C was reached in St James's Park in central London.
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The highest temperature recorded so far this year was 30°C. 5C at Wisley in Surrey on June 26th.
Temperatures across the UK are expected to reach between 25 and 31 degrees Celsius on Friday as the heatwave reaches its peak.
Colder weather spreads east over the weekend and more typical July temperatures are expected on Sunday.
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The heat rises
After a fairly chilly start to July which saw temperatures around 2°C below average, many of us have welcomed some summer heat.
Many places have failed to reach 25°C since the brief burst of warm weather in late June.
Heat warnings are in place in the Midlands and the east and south of England until 11am on Saturday.
These warnings are mainly aimed at health and social care services, and warn that the heat could affect the elderly and those with underlying health conditions.
Map of UK heatwave limits above 28°C inland
Image caption:
Temperatures need to reach a certain level for three consecutive days to meet the Met Office definition of a heatwave.
Is this a heatwave? ?
For this to be declared a heatwave, the Midlands, much of southern England and East Anglia would need to have three consecutive days above 27°C.
That temperature threshold rises to 28°C in London and some of its boroughs.
With temperatures starting to drop over the weekend, we're unlikely to see this brief heatwave officially become a heatwave in most areas.
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