Londoners will hope to keep the barbecues firing all summer long after forecasters predicted a month of hot weather.
The capital is set to bask in a four-day heatwave from Thursday... with the hot days now tipped to stretch into mid-July.
A yellow heat warning has been issued for the city and most of England, with warnings that the elderly and vulnerable people could be at risk.
London is expected to bake in highs of 32C on Thursday, which would make it the hottest day of the year so far, and 30C on Friday, before peaking at 33C on Saturday.
This means that London will be toastier on the weekend than many European holiday hotspots, including Corfu and Ibiza.
Next week looks set to bring more dry, sunny weather, with highs ranging between 26C (79F) and 29C (84F).
Meteorologists said temperatures are expected to be above average for most areas of the country, especially towards the southeast.
The Met Office said there will also be a chance of “some very warm or hot conditions” and between July 2 until July 16.
“Southern and eastern areas are most favoured for longer drier and more settled spells, although even here some occasional rain or showers will be possible, perhaps thundery,” the forecaster said.
“Temperatures are expected to be above average for most areas, especially towards the southeast where there will be an ongoing chance of some very warm or hot conditions at times.”
In London, a heatwave is triggered when a location records at least three consecutive days where the daily maximum temperature meets or exceeds 28C (82F).
The UK Health Security Agency has warned that the roasting conditions could bring with it a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over, a higher demand for health services.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, the agency’s head of extreme events and health protection, said: "Our findings shows that even moderate heat can result in serious health outcomes, especially for older adults, and it is therefore important that everyone takes sensible precautions while enjoying the sun."
Last Saturday, London saw temperatures rise to 24C (75F) after a band of thundery showers swept south-east and eastern England, bringing more than 30,000 lightning strikes.
