Temperatures in some parts of Britain are forecast to exceed 30C (86F) on Wednesday in what is expected to be the hottest day of the year so far.
In London, the Met Office said there are likely to be highs of 32C (90F), which would make the capital even hotter than Miami, Los Angeles, Nice and Barcelona.
The weather in Kingston, south-west London, at 32C, is expected to be within one degree of the Caribbean climate of Kingston, Jamaica, at 33C (91F). However, several European capitals are forecast to be even hotter than London including Rome, which is set to experience highs of 34C (93F), and Madrid and Paris, both expected to reach 37C (99F).
The highest temperature so far this year was recorded at 27.8C (82F) in Gravesend, Kent. Temperatures are set to drop again on Thursday, with thunderstorms expected for central and western parts of Britain.
