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UK weather: Hottest day of year so far as temperatures reach 31.9C

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UK weather: Hottest day of year so far as temperatures reach 31.9C

Friday has been the hottest day of the year in the UK so far, with a temperature of 31.9C recorded at St James’s Park, central London.

The Met Office said the temperature today could increase and it is likely to remain very warm overnight.

The previous record high for the year was 30.5C (87F) in Wisley, Surrey, on 26 June.

As temperatures rose, tourists in Cambridge enjoyed punting tours while using umbrellas to shield themselves from the sun’s rays.

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People enjoy punt tours in Cambridge while using umbrellas to shelter from the sun. Pic: PA

People shelter from the sun under umbrellas as they take a punt tour along the River Cam in Cambridge. South-eastern England is likely to see the UK's hottest day of the year far on Friday, although the UK as a whole will face a mixed picture on Friday and into the weekend. Picture date: Friday July 19, 2024. Joe Giddens/PA Wire
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Pic: PA

London’s Granary Square was also packed while down on the south coast in Kent, people took the chance to cool off with some water sports.

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People enjoying the warm weather in Granary Square, London. South-eastern England is likely to see the UK's hottest day of the year so far on Friday, although the UK as a whole will face a mixed picture on Friday and into the weekend. Picture date: Friday July 19, 2024. Pic: PA
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People soaking up the sun in London’s Granary Square, just a few miles from where the day’s highest temperature was recorded. Pic: PA

A man sunbathes with his t-shirt covering his head, enjoying the hot weather, in London Bridge. South-eastern England is likely to see the UK's hottest day of the year so far on Friday, although the UK as a whole will face a mixed picture on Friday and into the weekend. Picture date: Friday July 19, 2024.
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A man covers his head while sunbathing in central London. Pic: PA

It does not look as though the hot weather is here to stay though, as temperatures will start to lower over the weekend – and there is the possibility of thunderstorms overnight into Saturday.

Saturday’s highest temperature is expected to be 28 or 29C (84F), with the warmest spells likely to be seen in the east and south east of England.

A lady enjoys flyboarding during the warm weather on the beach in Dover, Kent. South-eastern England is likely to see the UK's hottest day of the year far on Friday, although the UK as a whole will face a mixed picture on Friday and into the weekend. Picture date: Friday July 19, 2024. Gareth Fuller/PA Wire
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A woman flyboards on the beach in Dover, Kent. Pic: PA

A lady prepares to paddleboard during the warm weather on the beach in Dover, Kent. South-eastern England is likely to see the UK's hottest day of the year far on Friday, although the UK as a whole will face a mixed picture on Friday and into the weekend. Picture date: Friday July 19, 2024. Pic: PA
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Someone prepares to paddleboard in Dover, Kent. Pic: PA

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Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan said: “There is going to be a mixture of weather on offer this weekend so I think the main takeaway is that Sunday is going to be the drier of the two days, and more comfortable for being outdoors for any length of time.”

“Tomorrow [Saturday] we will see a breakdown in the weather, so we are going to see a change with heavy rain in the west.”

The south east of England “could see a few thunderstorms,” he added, with the rain then expected to “sweep eastwards” and lead to “fresher conditions for Sunday”.

Next week is also expected to be cooler with temperatures in the low to mid twenties.

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