Looks a lot like freedom day! Tens of thousands of Brits stampede to beaches on the hottest day of the year so far with temperatures hitting 88F
Sun-starved Britons flocked to beaches and parks today causing miles-long tailbacks on the hottest day of the year so far as temperatures hit 88F (31C), making parts of the UK warmer than the Caribbean.
Northern Ireland saw its highest temperature on record with Ballywatticock in County Down reaching 88.2F (31.2C) at 3.40pm, beating the previous high of 87.4F (30.8C) reached on both July 12, 1983 and June 30, 1976.
The heat also meant today was the UK's hottest day of 2021 to date, above the previous 2021 high of 85.5F (29.7C) which had stood for more than a month after being set on June 14 in Teddington, South West London.
The warmest parts of England today were Yorkshire, the Midlands and Bristol - and conditions could be even hotter tomorrow with the Met Office warning of 91F (33C) highs as the summer heatwave continues.
The balmy weather, driven by a blast of warm air coming in from the Azores in the North Atlantic, has prompted health officials to issue warnings about the dangers of extreme heat - especially to the elderly and vulnerable.
The sunshine is due to last until so-called 'Freedom Day' on Monday, the day when the last of the Covid-19 restrictions are due to be lifted by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, when thunderstorms could arrive.
Thousands have flocked to beaches across the country, with London and the South East seeing clear skies and highs of 84F (29C) today with the mercury climbing to between 88F (30C) and 90F (32C) tomorrow.
And, for a change, the heat is being shared across the country - with the North Midlands and South Yorkshire hottest today, followed by the South East tomorrow.
Monday is expected to see the highest temperatures shift to the West Country. But we are still a long way off record temperatures - with the all-time UK record of 101.7F (38.7C) being set in Cambridge on July 25, 2019.
Tom Morgan, meteorologist at the Met Office, said: 'We have got quite an extended hot spell of weather to come through the next several days lasting much of this week, nighttime temperatures will be in the high teens Celsius and daytime temperatures will be in the high twenties or low thirties.
'It's going to mean that people are really going to feel the effects of the heat as we go through this week.'
People enjoy the weather on Bournemouth beach in Dorset this afternoon as sun-seekers flock to the coast
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Beachgoers cool off with a splash in the sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach in Tynemouth, North Tyneside, this afternoon
Sun starved Britons have flocking to beaches (pictured, Bournemouth beach) and parks this morning as the mercury looks set to hit a scorching 86F with parts of the UK basking in temperatures warmer than the Caribbean
A packed beach in Weymouth today as sun-seekers flock to the Dorset coast to enjoy the weather
Crowds of people flock to the sea as they enjoy the hot and sunny weather on Barry Island in South Wales this afternoon
People out punting on the River Cam in Cambridge this morning at the start of a hot weekend
Crowds of people flock to the sea as they enjoy the sunshine on Barry Island in South Wales this afternoon
Jenny Brown and baby daughter Lilly Skeels enjoy paddleboarding along the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach today
Sunbathers lounge on deck chairs at Green Park in London as they make the most of the hot weather
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A very busy Bournemouth beach this afternoon on what is looking like one of the hottest weekends of the year so far
A sunbather lounges on a deck chair at Green Park today as Londoners make the most of the scorching temperatures
People out punting on the River Cam in Cambridge today as they enjoy the hot weather
Hundreds of drivers were stuck in hour-long queues the M5 towards the South West from Bristol as holidaymakers rushed to enjoy the three-day heatwave.
Bournemouth saw slow moving traffic jams as thousands of people flocked to the city's beaches.
The M11 saw a hours of standstill traffic build up after an accident forced the closure of both sides of the motorway.
A lorry reportedly overturned on the southbound route, closing the highway at the Junction 10 Duxford Interchange. Police said emergency services were on the scene.
Drivers and holidaymakers have been warned to avoid the route.
Competitors take part in group stages of the UKBT Grand Slam Beach Volleyball Classic in Weymouth today
Children enjoy a donkey ride on a packed beach in Weymouth this afternoon
Huey takes his inflatable boat down to the sea in Weymouth this afternoon as the sunny weather continues
People play in the sea in Weymouth today as temperatures soar across the country this afternoon
A volleyball game in full swing on Tynemouth Longsands beach in Tynemouth, North Tyneside, this morning
Paddleboarders enjoy a glide along the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach in Tynemouth, North Tyneside, today
A lifeguard watches over the packed beach at Weymouth today as the hot weather continues
Beachgoers shelter under an umbrella at Tynemouth Longsands beach in Tynemouth, North Tyneside, this morning
People out punting on the River Cam in Cambridge this morning at the start of a hot weekend
A volleyball game on Tynemouth Longsands beach in Tynemouth, North Tyneside, this morning
Early risers relax on sun loungers as Britain prepares for a three day heatwave with temperatures soaring to over 31C (88F)
People relax on the beach as they soak up the sunshine on the hottest day of the year with temperatures soaring to 86F
Beachgoers cool off with a dip in the sea at Tynemouth Longsands as mercury looks set to hit a scorching 86F with parts of the UK basking in temperatures warmer than the Caribbean
The balmy weather, driven by a blast of warm air coming in from the Azores in the North Atlantic, has prompted health officials to issue warnings about the dangers of extreme heat as people flocked to beaches (pictured, Bournemouth beach) across the country
The rush to the beaches on Saturday saw miles-long tailbacks form on the M5 at Bristol heading South West
Bournemouth saw slow moving traffic jams as thousands of people flocked to the city's beaches on Saturday, the hottest day of the year so far
Forecasters are predicting today could be the hottest day of the year as sunseekers flocked to beaches across the country
Top up the suncream and stoke up the barbecue - sunseekers flock to Bournemouth Beach as Britain enters a sweltering weekend which will be as warm as Barbados this weekend
Car parks in Bournemouth quickly filled up as thousands of sun starved people flocked to the city's beach to enjoy the first taste of summer
Thousands of people rushed to Bournemouth beach on Saturday on what is expected to be the hottest day of the year
The M11 saw a hours of standstill traffic build up after an accident forced the closure of both sides of the major motorway
A lorry reportedly overturned on the southbound route of the M11, closing the road at the Junction 10 Duxford Interchange
Met Office meteorologist Simon Partridge said the weather may take people by surprise 'because so far this summer has not been that great'.
He added: 'Temperatures have generally been below average for quite a while - it's the difference in temperature in such a short space of time that is the most noticeable.'
Mr Partridge continued: 'But it will affect most of the UK and that is a little bit more unusual - Scotland and Northern Ireland just got their warmest day of the year.
'Northern Ireland might get closer to its highest-ever temperature, which to be fair is only just above 30C.'
But a mini-heat wave is definitely on the cards, the Met Office said, before things turn cooler and thundery from the middle of next week.
Early morning sun lovers enjoy Branksome chime beach in Bournemouth on the hottest day of the year on Saturday
Early morning beachgoers head to Bournemouth beach on the hottest day of the year, with temperatures expected to soar to 30C (86F)
Early risers take a dip in the sea at Tynemouth Longsands, North Tyneside, on Saturday morning ahead of the hottest day of the year
Please have flocked to beaches across the country to soak up the sun on Saturday, at the start of a mini three-day heatwave across the UK
A couple enjoy a kiss in the water as they soak up the sun at Bournemouth beach on Saturday, which is set to be the hottest day of the year
Two women enjoy Bournemouth beach as Britons rush to enjoy their first taste on summer on what is expected to be the hottest day of the year
Two women enjoy Bournemouth beach as Britons rush to enjoy their first taste on summer on what is expected to be the hottest day of the year
A group of men enjoy some beers while on the beach in Bournemouth after forecasts said temperatures would soar to 86F
Toddler Ellie Phillips enjoys the hot weather in Blackpool on Saturday, expected to be the hottest day of the year with temperatures of 30C
A mini-heat wave is definitely on the cards, the Met Office said, as things turn cooler and thundery from the middle of next week but it has not stopped paddle boarders making the most of the hot weather
Two women enjoy an early morning paddle board, catching the early rays of the sun on what is expected to be the hottest day of the year
Thousands of people rushed to the beach in Bournemouth to enjoy a mini three-day heatwave ahead of 'Freedom Day' on Monday, July 19
Sunseekers enjoy Bournemouth beach on what is forecast to be one of the hottest weekends of the year so far
Britons flocked to Bournemouth beach on Saturday after the Met Office forecast temperatures of over 86F
Early morning sunseekers enjoy relaxing on Bournemouth beach ahead of the hottest day of the year on Saturday
Two women go paddle boarding as they enjoy the first rays of sun on Tynemouth Longsands as a heatwave spreads across the UK
Alfie the donkey takes 2-year-old Ellie Phillips for a ride down Blackpool beach as Britain experiences a mini-heatwave
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For London and the South East to record a heatwave, temperatures must exceed 28C for at least three days, while this drops to 27C in the Midlands and 26C in the South West.
In Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Devon and Cornwall and the North East it is 25C.
It comes as Waitrose reported surging sales of suncream, picnic blankets and barbecue tools as well as paddling pools, vegan ice cream and rose wine.
Warnings about the extreme heat have been issued by both medical authorities and vets, urging people to keep the vulnerable and animals safe.
People hit Branksome beach, Bournemouth for an early morning paddle board as temperatures are set to soar to 30C (86F)
Swimmers enjoy an early morning splash in the North Sea as the sun rises over Tynemouth Longsands as temperatures are expected to soar across the country over the weekend
Early risers enjoy a paddle board and dip in the sea at Tynemouth Longsands on Saturday, with temperatures expected to reach 30C
People enjoy the sunrise at Cullercoats Bay in North Tyneside on Saturday morning as they prepare for temperatures to reach 30C (86F)
Early morning beachgoers enjoy the sun on Bournemouth beach ahead of the hottest day of the year on Saturday
Kayakers take advantage of the early morning sun on Bournemouth beach at the start of a three-day heatwave across the UK
Beachgoers set up for a day of relaxing in the sun on Bournemouth beach as they enjoy their first taste of summer on Saturday
Britons flocked to beaches and parks across the country to enjoy the hot weather ahead of 'Freedom Day' on Monday, July 19
A graphic shows how a sweltering African plume of heat will make its way across the continent this weekend, bringing high temperatures to much of the UK
PHE advised people to look out for those who may struggle to keep cool and hydrated, such as older people and those who live alone.
Emergency animal care provider Vets Now also warned rising temperatures could increase the risk of heat stroke in dogs.
The vet service sees a spike in callouts as the weather warms up and has warned that temperatures above 20C put dogs at risk, and that survival rates for dogs with heat stroke is just 50 per cent.
The warnings come after a week of flash flooding in the south east of England, causing disruption to transport in London.