England will be hotter than Ibiza and Barcelona on Sunday as temperatures soar on the warmest day of the year so far.
Forecasters predict the mercury will hit 31C on Sunday and Monday - topping the high of 28.6C last month.
It is a much needed respite after a gloomy few weeks, and will hopefully drive people outside - which could cut Freedom Day Covid infections as restrictions are lifted.
The Met Office predicts Saturday will be very warm across England and Scotland, although some parts of the north west could be slightly cloudier.
There will be some drizzle in Scotland, however.
On Sunday through to Tuesday, it will be largely settled and very warm, although it is expected to be cloudier and cooler across parts of the north on Sunday and into Monday with some rain in places.
Health warning issued
A heat-health warning has been issued in England as temperatures are forecast to soar at the weekend.
Public Health England (PHE), which issued the alert, urged the public to take measures to keep cool and support those who may be at risk in the warm weather.
Dr Owen Landeg, scientific and technical lead at PHE, said: "Much of the advice on beating the heat is common sense and for many people spells of warmer weather are something they very much enjoy.
"However, for some people, such as older people, those with underlying health conditions and young children, the summer heat can bring real health risks.
"That's why we're urging everyone to keep an eye on those you know who may be at risk.
"If you're able, ask if your friends, family or neighbours need any support.
"Also take water with you when travelling and keep up to date with weather forecasts.
"It's also worth remembering the practical steps to keep homes cool during the day as this can aid sleeping at night and give the body time to recover from the heat."
Brits to bask in sunshine with heatwave until Tuesday
Will Lang, head of civil contingencies at the Met Office, added: "Across most parts of the UK we're expecting to see temperatures building, reaching heatwave thresholds across the majority of England over the weekend.
"High temperatures will remain a feature of the forecast until Tuesday, when fresher conditions arrive curtailing heatwave levels."
Alex Burkill, a meteorologist at the Met Office, said the level two heat-health alert covers every part of England excluding parts of the North East, the North West and London and is due to last until Tuesday.
He, said the highest temperatures will be "widespread across the bulk of the UK as we go through the end of the week and into the weekend".
Possibility of thundery showers
Mr Burkill said: "Until July 13, the UK had had 55% of its average July rainfall so it's a bit wetter than average, but not significantly so.
"What is quite likely is as we go through next week, there may be an unsettled blip with the risk of some heavy and perhaps even thundery showers.
"But then as we head through the very end of the month and into August we should see more fine, sunny weather around, and it will be drier than average conditions.
"Whilst it won't be bone dry all the time, I think we're in for a warmer and more settled spell that will last a few weeks."
Mr Burkill added that areas seeing temperatures within the Met Office's definition of a heatwave include parts of south-west England, South Wales, parts of the Midlands and Yorkshire.
Thunderstorms caused flash flooding in London and the South East this week including multiple Underground stations.
